Bristol Community College announced today that it is among the first institutions to join the 2026 cohort of the Achieving the Dream (ATD) Network, a national community of colleges committed to advancing student success, economic mobility, and community impact.
As a new Network institution, Bristol will participate in ATD’s Foundations of Transformation, an intensive three-year engagement designed to strengthen the institutional capacities needed to support student success and drive long-term institutional improvement. Guided by ATD’s Community Vibrancy Framework, the work will help the college build more inclusive, data-informed, and student-centered systems that respond to the evolving needs of students and the region.
“Bristol Community College’s partnership with the Achieving the Dream closely aligns with the college’s mission and strategic priorities, helping us further strengthen student-centered practices that support equitable outcomes and students’ long-term success,” said Sedgwick L. Harris, Ed.D., president of Bristol Community College. “We have seen the meaningful impact ATD has had at institutions across the country, including here in Massachusetts, and are excited to engage in this work alongside faculty, staff, and national peers.”
“Community colleges play a vital role in expanding opportunity and strengthening the communities they serve,” said Lenore Rodicio, Ph.D., incoming president and CEO of Achieving the Dream. “We are thrilled to welcome Bristol Community College to the ATD Network as one of the first institutions joining our 2026 cohort. The college is demonstrating a bold commitment to student success and institutional transformation, and community impact. We look forward to partnering with Bristol as it builds on its strengths, advances innovative practices, and creates lasting impact for students and the community.”
By joining the ATD Network, Bristol Community College will connect with a national peer community of colleges focused on advancing equitable student outcomes and institutional effectiveness. The college will also have access to ATD’s expert coaching, strategic tools, professional learning opportunities, and network-wide collaboration.
Representatives from Bristol will begin their Network journey this summer, completing foundational assessments and preparing for their first on-campus coaching visits in August and early September. Their introductory experience will culminate at ATD's Data & Analytics Summit, taking place September 29 - October 2 in Baltimore, where they will join a summit track designed specifically for new Network institutions and engage with ATD's Institutional Capacity Framework 2.0, a comprehensive assessment built on seven essential capacities for driving student success.
About Achieving the Dream
Achieving the Dream (ATD) is a partner and champion of more than 300 community colleges
across the country. Drawing on expert coaches, groundbreaking programs, and national
peer network, the organization provides institutions with integrated, tailored support
for every aspect of their work — from foundational capacities such as leadership,
data, and equity to intentional strategies for supporting students holistically, building
K–12 partnerships, and more. ATD calls this Whole College Transformation. Its vision
is for every college to be a catalyst for equitable and economically vibrant communities.
ATD knows that with the right partner and the right approach, colleges can drive access,
completion rates, and employment outcomes — so that all students can access life-changing
learning that propels them into community-changing careers. Follow ATD on X (Twitter), Facebook, and LinkedIn.
To learn more, view the the Achieving the Dream press release or visit www.achievingthedream.org.