Welcome to the latest newsletter installment! Our team has launched into 2025 with strong momentum, steadfastly continuing the Program Pathways Mapper's (PPM) objective of expanded support.
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Keeping Our Momentum: A Promising Start to 2025
PPM Spring Newsletter
March 11, 2025
Introduction
Welcome to the latest newsletter installment! Our team has launched into 2025 with strong momentum, steadfastly continuing the Program Pathways Mapper’s (PPM) objective of expanded support for our users and students. We started off the year with strategic planning events to address user inquiries and feedback, discuss progress towards Vision 2030, and review PPM features as our team is actively laying the groundwork for PPM 2.0, ensuring a stronger, more impactful experience ahead! Thank you for being part of this journey as we keep striving towards student success and institutional excellence.
California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian (left), Strategic Advisor to the Chancellor– and PPM Co-founder– Craig Hayward (middle), and PPM Chief Partnership Officer Jennifer Johnson at the recent 2024 Strategic Transfer Summit in Merced.
Message from Craig
“As we step into an exciting new season for PPM, I’m energized by the momentum we’ve built and the opportunities ahead. Attending the recent CISOA 2025 Technology Summit and 2025 PPM Strategic Planning Retreat reinforced my confidence in the power of collaboration and innovation to drive student success. I’m proud of how far we’ve come and look forward to deepening our impact across California’s higher education landscape. Let’s continue working together to simplify pathways, empower students, and strengthen our institutions.”
Researchers presenting their student data at the recent, spring PPM Retreat.
PPM Updates
PPM Retreat
On January 29, the extended PPM team, student researchers, San Francisco State University AI project leads, and other higher education leaders joined for the 2025 PPM Strategic Planning Retreat. Together, the team reviewed Vision 2030 accomplishments, research findings, PPM 1.0, and the soon-to-be transition to PPM 2.0 scheduled for this year. Key motivations for PPM 2.0 include future expansion of the tool, further fulfillment of Vision 2030, and enhanced career exploration for our student users. These combined efforts and elaborative discussions are paving the way for streamlined PPM support and management, as well as expanded reporting capabilities.
PPM 2.0
The transition to PPM 2.0 brings significant advancements in system administration and curriculum data management, directly supporting our North Star metrics. Enhanced user management, role-based authorization, and automated school onboarding streamline adoption, making it easier for institutions to implement and expand usage. PPM 2.0 updates will drastically reduce onboarding time while ensuring data accuracy and consistency-- ultimately increasing visibility into educational pathways, accelerating program onboarding, and expanding access to critical resources like dual enrollment and credit for prior learning. More information will be released as we near the launch.
Lunch and Learn with Steve
On February 21, Steve led the first PPM Lunch and Learn session to discuss recent updates, highlighting the development of PPM 2.0 and the extended $60,000 PPM Grant opportunity for schools. He covered key new features, including the COCI API fix, blank slate curriculum year updates, micro-credentials, and changes to map displays. The session also addressed the functionality of the advisor link system, the management of orphan maps, and the use of evergreen links for curriculum navigation. Check out the session recording for the full, authoring discussion.
PPM Grant Deadline Extension
The deadline for the PPM Grant has been extended to March 31, 2025. A reminder of up to $60,000 in grant funding per institution is available to California community colleges, California State University, and University of California campuses to uplift PPM efforts across the state, no matter what your PPM status is. Please email our team at PPM-support@foundationccc.org to get started or learn more.
Our wonderful PPM Retreat attendees and contributors.
Testimonials
UC Merced Chancellor, Juan Sanchez Munoz Ph.D.
“[Our work] unifies these initiatives with the singular goal of supporting the inner segmental academic journey of all our Californians who dare to dream”
Other Related News
Our new CSM platform
The team recently implemented Totango, a customer success management platform, to ensure your school receives the proper support and resources it needs to make the PPM a success. It helps us stay on top of account health and scheduled communications.
Website Updates
Our team wants to remind you that our website is undergoing content, design, and sitemap restructuring to enhance its navigation and overall user experience. We are happy to answer any of your questions as content shifts around.
Office Hours
A reminder that our team is providing virtual office hours every week to answer your questions and receive guided support. We look forward to assisting you Tuesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and Thursdays from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Have Questions?
Always feel free to reach us via our Interest Form or by emailing PPM-support@foundationccc.org.
Have Feedback?
We welcome your feedback as we aim to continuously improve the user experience!
