In 2015, the Career College Collaborative (C3) formed as a group of volunteer career and college readiness (CCR) practitioners to discuss needs in their communities. Their central focus was improving CCR resources and accessibility. Gathering information and sharing it with community members around the state of Oregon, C3 started as an action group and continued to expand. As the scope of the projects grew larger, C3 brought on more people and began forming an official organization. By May of 2022, C3 officially took the steps to become a fully recognized 501c3 educational nonprofit, expanding its capacity to make bigger changes in Oregon’s educational landscape.

Many partners and funders are responsible for supporting C3 in its path to promote resources. Initial support from the Higher Education Coordinating Commission and grants from the Oregon Department of Education and Department of Human Resources have primarily funded C3’s projects to create new resources, develop new ways to support practitioners, and establish advisory groups who contribute from the field. Several community partners became presenters at C3’s 2023 Summer Summit and collaborated to develop the Winter Webinar series at the beginning of 2024. With community outreach, C3 has committed to engaging with practitioners and community leaders across the state. With three primary regional hubs — Douglas County ESD, Southern Oregon ESD, and Portland Public Schools — C3 has traveled across Oregon to gauge what active practitioners want and need. 

Working with each convening, summit, and webinar to refine products and tools further, C3 plans to extend outreach and create lasting hubs in every region of Oregon. Each voice is important, and the organization thrives by hearing from people working with students and learners from all backgrounds. 
Today, C3 pushes forward with stability, strength, and determination. If more community members or organizations wish to connect with C3 and become part of their plans for progress, the C3 team encourages them to dive in and join them as partners, funders, or volunteers. With a growing board of directors and a wide array of voices to hear from, the future is bright!