When Irvine Valley College (IVC) built Inspire 2035, its 10-year strategic plan, students and staff described the college in three powerful words: caring, supportive, and inclusive.
As a Caring Campus, IVC strives to create a welcoming environment for both students and employees every day. This commitment to care is now embedded into the college’s framework for the future, with one of Inspire 2035’s goals being to further strengthen a culture of care.
“Having care reflected in our strategic plan is one of the many ways we’re elevating Caring Campus and truly incorporating it into the vision of what we aspire to be – not just at IVC, but across our entire district,” IVC president Dr. John Hernandez said. “Caring Campus has been the primary contributing factor to the institutional culture we see at IVC today.”
This culture of care is embedded throughout campus life. Meetings across campus start with a “Caring Campus Moment” – a time set aside to recognize employees who were seen demonstrating support or care in an interaction with a student or colleague. IVC further institutionalized its commitment by establishing a tri-chair Caring Campus Committee as a formal shared governance body, and by presenting annual Caring Campus Ambassador awards.
Student listening sessions confirm students feel a strong sense of community and care at IVC.
“To me, that’s the most powerful testament of all,” Hernandez said. “Our students are experiencing the same sense of belonging and pride that our employees feel every day. Caring Campus has really permeated across our entire campus and become an institution-wide commitment.”
IVC has reached record enrollment and seen notable gains in graduation over the past two years, which Hernandez attributes, in part, to the culture of care driven by employees who understand the role they play in student success.
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