News Release

CONTACT: Della Elliott, Public Information, (619) 644-7690, della.elliott@gcccd.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                May 8, 2006

Cal-PASS director receives award for excellence in community college research
 

EL CAJON – – Dr. Brad Phillips, executive director of Cal-PASS, a kindergarten-to-university innovation used by more than 2,000 schools across the state, has received the 2006 Mertes Award for Excellence in Community College Research.

Phillips of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District received the award for developing Cal-PASS and for a compilation of research projects he’s headed in the last two years: the development of a statewide prerequisite formula for entrance into nursing programs; the evaluation of the @ONE technology project that resulted in improvements of the state community colleges’ technology training program; the evaluation of elementary algebra teaching methods, which has led to statewide innovations; and a field survey of the Accrediting Commission of Community and Junior Colleges, which assisted the commission develop new accreditation standards.

The Mertes Award is given annually by the Association of California Community College Administrators, or ACCCA, a professional organization for administrators and managers of California’s 109 community colleges. Named after Dr. David Mertes, chancellor of the California Community Colleges systems from 1988-1996, the award honors the author of a research project or dissertation focusing on community colleges’ role in higher education.

“The award reflects the highest level of excellence in community college research and Dr. Phillips is a most worthy recipient,” GCCCD Chancellor Omero Suarez said. “Each year, ACCCA honors research projects or dissertations that significantly contribute to the understanding of community colleges and help further their mission and goals. I am particularly pleased that his leadership of Cal-PASS has been recognized in this way.”

Phillips launched California Partnership for Achieving Student Success, or Cal-PASS, in 1998 as a pilot program between GCCCD and San Diego State University. He left his district position of 11 years as senior director of institutional research, planning and academic services to take over as full-time director of the rapidly expanding data-sharing project in 2004.

Heralded as a powerful tool for improving classroom teaching, Cal-PASS is used by more than 2,000 K-12 schools, colleges and universities throughout California to gather and track student data, and to use that information to help students prepare for their next rung up the educational ladder. Funded by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and GCCCD, Cal-PASS, due to Dr. Phillips’ efforts, is also supported by the Hewlett Foundation, the Girard Foundation, the Carnegie Foundation and the East County Economic Development Council, or ECEDC.

“I am so very proud of Brad,” said Deanna Weeks, GCCCD governing board president and head of ECEDC. “Cal-Pass is an absolutely outstanding tool that Dr. Phillips has developed for facilitating student improvement.”

Weeks, who has served with Phillips on ECEDC committees and college district panels uniting business and education in addressing student and workforce needs, said the research award is well deserved.

Phillips originally trained as a psychotherapist and later entered the field of social psychology with emphasis on program evaluation. He received his undergraduate degree from California State University, Northridge, his master’s degree from California State University, Los Angeles, and a doctorate in social psychology from Claremont Graduate University. He has taught college-level courses in general psychology, statistics, and counseling.

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