Statewide Campaign in California Helps Adult Learners Return to Higher Education at 3x Nationwide Re-Enrollment Rate

InsideTrack's California Reconnect initiative helps more than 14,000 adults re-engage with college, re-enrolling nearly 1,000 learners across a network of 13 institutions

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Feb. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- InsideTrack, a mission-driven nonprofit and student success organization that has served more than 3.5 million learners since 2001, announced significant new progress and expansion plans after the second full year of its California Reconnect initiative, a groundbreaking statewide initiative aimed at helping working adults return to college and complete their degrees. Since its initial launch in December 2022, California Reconnect has achieved significant success in its first two years—re-enrolling students at three times the estimated national rate—and announcing ambitious plans to deepen its impact statewide.

"California Reconnect is not just about encouraging students to return to college; it's about providing them with tools, personalized coaching and support systems to overcome short-term barriers on their path to completion and long-term social and economic mobility," said Ruth Bauer White, president of InsideTrack. "By addressing the distinct needs of adult learners, including working parents, first-generation college students and communities of color, we can empower individuals to fulfill their educational and career aspirations—and create the economic resilience and skilled workforce needed to fuel California's growth for generations to come."

Statewide, there are an estimated 6.6 million California residents who have some college credit but have not completed an associate's or bachelor's degree—two million more stopouts from 2023 estimates. Meanwhile, economists predict that 40% of all California jobs will require a bachelor's degree by 2030. Current projections suggest that the state is on pace to fall short of workforce demand by 1.1 million four-year degrees, a shortfall that threatens the state's economic competitiveness and disproportionately impacts underserved communities.

Nationally, a growing number of states, institutions, systems and nonprofits have launched "reconnect programs" to re-engage former students, help them finish a degree or credential, and improve their long-term economic prospects. Over the past two years, InsideTrack and California Reconnect have assembled a diverse coalition of more than 21 institutions, including community colleges, regional public universities, minority-serving institutions and members of the California State University system. Collectively, the campaign has reached out to 14,700 adult learners and helped nearly 1,000 of them successfully re-enroll. To date, institutions participating in California Reconnect report an average re-enrollment rate of 6.5%—significantly outpacing the national average re-enrollment rate of 2.1%.

A cornerstone of California Reconnect's success is its student-centered coaching model—rigorously tested and refined by InsideTrack over two decades——which helps each student navigate the complex and often daunting process of returning to higher education after stopping out. Recent data compiled by the California Reconnect team has found that students who engage with a coach re-enroll at rates more than six times the rate of those who do not, underscoring the importance of personalized outreach and support in re-engaging students.

Through direct coaching and student support efforts, adult students contacted through California Reconnect receive assistance in removing financial, academic and professional barriers to earning their degree. Moving forward, California Reconnect leaders plan to share additional research and insights, including data disaggregated based on student characteristics to better understand the impact of race, ethnicity and gender on re-enrollment.

"Securing California's economic future relies on unlocking the potential of individuals who have started but not yet completed their college education," said Monica Green, Ed.D., president of Norco College in the Inland Empire region of Southern California. "California Reconnect empowers these learners to build on their strengths and return to higher education. By supporting their aspirations, we are not only creating pathways to economic mobility but also strengthening the long-term vitality and competitiveness of our communities."

California Reconnect was initially funded through generous financial support from ECMC Foundation, Strada Education Foundation and the Kresge Foundation. In 2024, California Reconnect expanded its coalition of funders with the addition of the College Futures Foundation, Crankstart Foundation, and the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium, bringing new energy and resources to the effort. In 2025, the initiative plans to expand its footprint to work with a total of 21 institutions in high-need regions across the state, including San Diego, the Inland Empire, the Central Valley and the Bay Area.

For states, systems and nonprofit organizations seeking to replicate this success, InsideTrack offers scalable solutions to help reconnect adult learners with educational and economic opportunity. Visit info.insidetrack.org/california-reconnect to learn more.

About California Reconnect: California Reconnect is a statewide coalition launched in 2022 that is working to power educational equity and economic advancement by closing the degree divide in the Golden State. We are working to bridge the gap in college completion for the millions of Californians aged 25 to 54 with some college credit, but no postsecondary credential. It is rooted in the belief that higher education can unlock the full potential of every adult—helping them to realize their personal, professional and life goals. Through a statewide network of nonprofits, institutions and mission-aligned partner organizations, we take an institution-agnostic approach to meet learners where they are and eliminate academic, financial and logistical barriers to re-engagement and re-enrollment. Our mission is to help build a more inclusive and equitable statewide economy and create long-term pathways to social and economic mobility. Visit info.insidetrack.org/california-reconnect to learn more.

About InsideTrack: InsideTrack is a mission-driven nonprofit that fuels positive change by empowering and advancing all learners to achieve their educational and career goals through the transformative power of coaching. We help people get the education they need to enhance well-being, create opportunity and secure meaningful employment — ultimately facilitating economic and social mobility. Since 2001, we have served over 3.5 million learners, partnering with more than 380 institutions and organizations to directly improve enrollment, retention, completion, and career advancement — tailoring our coaching outcomes to fit the needs of our partners and the learners they support. Our coaching methodology is evidence-based and research-confirmed, supporting all types of learners at every stage of their journey — especially those who face systemic barriers to postsecondary success. We are a catalyst for transformational impact, ultimately empowering learners and the organizations that serve them. To learn more, visit www.insidetrack.org and follow us on LinkedIn @InsideTrack and X @InsideTrack.

SOURCE InsideTrack