Passing the Torch, Carrying the Mission Forward

June President's Message

Dear Caring Campus Community,

This month’s message marks an important moment in the history of IEBC and Caring Campus. Effective July 1, 2026, Dr. Brad Phillips will transition from his role as President/CEO to President/CEO Emeritus, continuing to support the organization in a half-time capacity. At the same time, Ken Sherwood and Dr. Bola King-Rushing will step into their new roles as CEO and president, respectively.

While leadership roles may change, the mission that has guided Caring Campus from the beginning remains the same. Together, we are committed to helping institutions create welcoming, caring environments where every student is empowered to succeed.

Caring Campus leadership Dr. Brad Phillips, Ken Sherwood, and Dr. Bola King-Rushing pose with keynote speaker Dr. Peter Felten at the inaugural Caring Campus Conference.

If you haven’t already seen it, we encourage you to watch as Celeste Bogan, math professor at Oakland Community College, shares about the impact of Caring Campus and the vital role faculty play in fostering a culture of care and belonging for students.

We encourage you to share your own impactful stories and innovative implementation strategies by presenting at the Caring Campus Conference 2026: Developing a Legacy of Impact, taking place November 11-13 in Nashville. Shine a light on the great work happening on your campus and submit a proposal by Friday, October 9.

Additionally, we are thrilled to welcome the Raikes Foundation and the Lumina Foundation as our first two sponsors for the conference. We look forward to partnering with them as we bring our colleges and universities together for another inspiring event centered on strengthening student success and building meaningful connections on campus. If your foundation or organization is interested in sponsoring this milestone event, contact Dr. Bola King-Rushing.

And register for the conference today to secure early bird pricing!

Join us for another inspiring event centered on strengthening student success at the Caring Campus Conference 2026: Developing a Legacy of Impact.

It’s never too late to become a Caring Campus Network member. Take advantage of exclusive member benefits including conference discounts, certification eligibility, access to webinars, speaking opportunities, and more. Contact Natalie Brobst for more information.

As this new chapter begins, we are reminded of what is at the heart of Caring Campus: staff, faculty, and administrators coming together to help students succeed. While the leadership torch is being passed, that vision remains unchanged. Thank you for your continued support as we move forward together in our commitment to creating caring environments that help students thrive.

Connect with us today to learn more about how we can help your campus continue to build and nurture a culture of care.

Sincerely,

Dr. Brad Phillips, Ken Sherwood, and Dr. Bola King-Rushing

Contact IEBC at [email protected], see our website, or call us at

562-688-5721 for more information.

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Institute For Evidence-Based Change | 562-688-5721

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