For many students, college is a path to a better life. A new partnership between Complete College America (CCA) and ACUE is working to make sure more of them finish what they started.
Each year, millions of students begin college with a goal of making a better life.
Yet, many of these students will not complete their degree.
Complete College America (CCA) has made it their mission to change that, challenging institutions to reimagine higher education and reduce barriers to college completion.
This mission has led to a partnership with the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) to support structural reforms and classroom-level changes that ensure every student, in every classroom, experiences the quality of teaching that keeps them engaged, supported, and on track to succeed.
Why Teaching Quality Is Central to College Completion
CCA works to increase college completion by helping institutions implement policies, practices, and reforms that remove barriers to student success.
CCA’s work is significant and needed. According to Spring 2025 data from the Education Data Initiative, the graduation rate for 2-year institutions is 30.8%.
While many factors influence student persistence, research has shown that teaching quality can be an important factor in improving student engagement, course success, and retention—especially for students who have historically been underserved by higher education.
“Effective faculty are one of the most critical levers we have for fulfilling the promise of college completion. They’re the ones building connection, creating momentum, and supporting learners every day in the classroom,” said Yolanda Watson Spiva, CCA president. “Unlike many of the structural or financial barriers to completion, teaching is something institutions can directly invest in, strengthen, and improve at scale. But that requires moving beyond one-off workshops and optional professional development. It means giving faculty the coaching, curriculum, credentials, and community they need to continually strengthen their teaching practice and ensure that more students can achieve their full education and career potential.”
For more than a decade, ACUE has made it their mission to deliver student success through quality instruction. By enhancing their teaching through evidence-based teaching practices, faculty are equipped to help more students succeed academically.
While improving college completion requires institutions to address multiple barriers to student success, ensuring that every student has access to high-quality instruction is an effective and scalable way to support that goal.
How CCA and ACUE Are Supporting Faculty Development at Scale
Through CCA’s Accelerator project, ACUE will help four community colleges scale faculty development in ways that are sustainable, measurable, and designed to improve student outcomes. Rather than relying on isolated workshops or one-time training events, the initiative provides a comprehensive model that supports faculty growth over time.
Beginning in fall 2026, participating faculty will join a dedicated CCA Accelerator cohort and earn ACUE’s nationally recognized Certification in Effective Teaching. Faculty will engage with proven instructional strategies, receive ongoing support from ACUE instructors and campus leaders, and connect with colleagues across institutions.
“Teaching quality isn’t a nice-to-have in the completion conversation. It’s one of the few levers institutions can pull that directly changes whether a student stays enrolled and completes,” said Andrew Hermalyn, ACUE Chairman and CEO. “This partnership with CCA gives us a chance to bring that evidence-based approach to scale, embedding it into the everyday classroom experience of students who need it most.”
The Certification in Effective Teaching provides the groundwork for teaching excellence. The partnership between CCA and ACUE extends beyond these foundational principles with the inclusion of ACUE Commons, where faculty and staff can access peer networks, practical resources, Endorsements, and one-hour Quick Studies on timely topics including AI for higher education, preparing workforce-ready students, deliberative dialogue, and holistic student support. Dedicated Academic Directors, Implementation Directors, ACUE Instructors, and Commons Community Managers will help ensure that institutions have the support needed to build lasting teaching excellence across their campuses.
Evidence-Based Teaching Practices That Improve Student Outcomes
Through the CCA Accelerator, participating faculty will develop practical, evidence-based teaching skills they can immediately apply in their classrooms. These practices help instructors create more engaging, inclusive, and supportive learning environments that foster student success while strengthening faculty confidence and well-being.
Research has shown that students taught by ACUE-certified faculty experience:
- 7% higher grades
- 13% higher grades for students experiencing barriers
- 16% fewer Ds, Fs, and withdrawals (DFWs)
These findings have been reinforced by independent, peer-reviewed research.
Improving college completion requires institutions to address barriers at every level of the student experience. The partnership between CCA and ACUE will demonstrate how investing in teaching excellence can serve as a catalyst for broader institutional change. By equipping faculty with the tools and support needed to continuously improve their teaching, institutions can create lasting impact that extends beyond a single initiative.
