08/18/2026
Phoenix College is gearing up for an exciting Fall 2026 semester! ๐ป
Faculty and staff kicked things off at Convocation with energy, gratitude, and a shared focus on one thing: helping every Bear thrive. A big part of that momentum comes from our work with Achieving the Dream (ATD), a national network of 300+ community colleges committed to transformation over tradition. Together with expert coaches and peer institutions, PC has built a customized student success framework designed to support students holistically at every stage of their journey.
That framework now has a name and a face: Bear Tracks. ๐พ
Rooted in our 1946 College Seal and shaped by real student feedback about what belonging at PC feels like, Bear Tracks guides students through four stages: Embark, Connect, Rise, and Arrive. Along the way, students connect to key experiences like New Student Orientation, Career Tracks, and First Year Experience.
And the data tells us itโs working. Student-reported sense of belonging has climbed from 58% in 2013 to 79% today, proof that intentional, student-first design makes a real difference.
As we open our doors for a new semester, weโre proud of the faculty, staff, and student success leaders driving this work forward, and even more excited for whatโs ahead for our students!