# Research Initiatives for College and Career Success (RICCS) ## Research Initiatives for College and Career Success (RICCS) The Research Initiatives for College and Career Success (RICCS) portfolio is focused on research projects that advance students' postsecondary access and success. Bringing together CEPR's work on rural postsecondary readiness and entry; rural collaboratives, innovative partnerships focused on aligning high school curriculum with local labor market needs; and community college enrollment and success, RICCS aims to improve student outcomes and access to family-sustaining wages. ![College and Career Success](/sites/g/files/omnuum9881/files/styles/hwp_4_3__1540x1160/public/2026-01/CEPR%20website%20logo%20tiles.png?itok=yoHL-mfN) ### Leveraging Technology and Engaging Students (LTES) LTES is a collaboration between the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD), the Center for Education Policy Research (CEPR), and the Pullias Center for Higher Education at the University of Southern California. Our goal is to provide actionable insights into the challenges and responses of LACCD to the Covid-19 pandemic. [ Learn more about LTES arrow\_circle\_right ](https://cepr.harvard.edu/leveraging-technology-and-engaging-students-ltes) ![people talking in a meeting](/sites/g/files/omnuum9881/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/cepr/files/about-hero.jpg?itok=pDRDcC2U) ### National Center for Rural Education Research Networks The National Center for Rural Education Research Networks (NCRERN) seeks to increase opportunity for rural students through the power of actionable data and evidence. NCRERN builds the capacity of education agencies to undertake evidence-based continuous improvement in rural schools and districts and has increased the body of rigorous research and proven solutions in rural education. [ Explore NCRERN's work arrow\_circle\_right ](https://cepr.harvard.edu/rural) ![Classroom](/sites/g/files/omnuum9881/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2025-06/classroom-ncrern_1.jpg?itok=wD-52x3c) ### Rural Collaboratives Research The Center for Education Policy Research (CEPR) at Harvard University and [Empower Schools](https://empowerschools.org/rural-innovation/) have launched a partnership to support research on the effectiveness of Rural Collaboratives in improving postsecondary success for underserved rural students. This work is examining the impact of formalized rural partnerships as a means to improve and expand college and career training for students, and, ultimately, improve their long-term outcomes. [ Learn more about rural collaboratives research arrow\_circle\_right ](https://ncrern.provingground.cepr.harvard.edu/rural-collaboratives) ![Rural collaboratives](/sites/g/files/omnuum9881/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2025-06/rural%20collabs.png?h=6a2d6284&itok=icMExwlA) ### The Rural Postsecondary Research Clearinghouse The Rural Postsecondary Research Clearinghouse synthesizes the existing evidence on policies and practices implemented in high schools to improve students’ college and career readiness and access. Our goal is to help education leaders make informed, evidence-based decisions tailored to their local context. Through this Clearinghouse, we offer practitioners evidence-based strategies they can tailor to their local context and highlight areas for future research. [ Visit the clearinghouse arrow\_circle\_right ](https://ncrern.provingground.cepr.harvard.edu/rural-postsec-research-clearinghouse) ![Rural postsecondary clearinghouse homepage](/sites/g/files/omnuum9881/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2025-06/rural%20clearinghouse.png?itok=8XiY9iyL) ### Supporting States to Enhance College & Career Readiness The College and Career Readiness Data Infrastructure Matrix and its accompanying tools are designed to help states reflect on and strengthen their data infrastructure, with the ultimate goal of strengthening students’ college and career outcomes. Strengthening strategic data use can enhance decision-making at all levels, supporting states in setting priorities, allocating resources effectively, and implementing evidence-based strategies to improve students’ college and career outcomes. Complementing these resources is a cross-state brief detailing different policies and strategies in use across Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma aimed at preparing students for life after high school. [ Explore these tools arrow\_circle\_right ](https://cepr.harvard.edu/supporting-states-enhance-college-career-readiness) ![Supporting College and Career Readiness Portfolio-- front covers](/sites/g/files/omnuum9881/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/2026-05/Untitled%20design%20-%202026-05-20T133711.811.png?itok=WRBg_xKn) ## In the News [### The Low-Cost, Low-Lift Way These Districts Used to Reduce Student Absences ](/news/2025/06/low-cost-low-lift-way-these-districts-used-reduce-student-absences) June 06, 2025 One relatively simple and low-cost intervention for rural districts has the potential to reduce student absences by nearly 5%, according to new research. That intervention: Sending periodic, personalized messages to parents about their children’s... [### Empower Schools and the Center for Education Policy Research Partner to Advance Research on the Enabling Policies and Impact of Rural Collaboratives ](/news/2025/05/empower-schools-and-center-education-policy-research-partner-advance-research-enabling) May 16, 2025 Empower Schools and the Center for Education Policy Research (CEPR) at Harvard University are pleased to announce a partnership to research on the effectiveness of Rural Collaboratives in improving postsecondary success for underserved rural students... [### Navigating the Path to Success or Drifting Off Course? Analyzing the Impacts of Online Course Formats in LACCD ](/news/2025/04/navigating-path-success-or-drifting-course-analyzing-impacts-online-course-formats) April 29, 2025 While online courses may increase access to higher education, providing the flexibility students need to balance the competing demands of school, work, and caregiving, previous research suggests that participation in online coursework may come at an... [### When Attendance Gets Personal ](/news/when-attendance-gets-personal) August 22, 2024 Two CEPR projects, Harvard Proving Ground and the National Center for Rural Education Research Networks (NCRERN), were highlighted in the ASCD EL Summer Issue for their effective, low-cost strategies to combat chronic absenteeism. "Individualized messages... [### Are Labor Market Opportunities Diverting Potential Community College Students? Lessons From Los Angeles County ](/news/are-labor-market-opportunities-diverting-potential-community-college-students-lessons-los) July 15, 2024 Nationwide, the COVID-19 pandemic pushed preexisting declines in community college enrollment into overdrive, leaving enrollment levels far below what they once were. This is a cause for concern. Community colleges aren’t just institutions—they’re... [### Examining Losses and Recoveries in Community College Enrollment: Lessons From the Los Angeles Community College District ](/news/examining-losses-and-recoveries-community-college-enrollment-lessons-los-angeles-community) July 15, 2024 Community colleges play an important role in the higher education ecosystem. In addition to serving as affordable gateways for students to enter four-year universities, they offer career-focused degrees and credentials which can significantly drive up... [ View All News arrow\_circle\_right ](https://prod-cepr.drupalsites.harvard.edu/news?f%5B0%5D=hwp_c_projectname%3A180791) ## Meet the RICCS Team [### Kriti Chopra ](/people/kriti-chopra) Network Manager, Proving Ground Kriti is a Network Manager for Proving Ground (PG). She completed the Masters’ in Education from Harvard Graduate School of Education with a focus on learning design and education policy. She has over 8 years of experience as a teacher, learning designer... ![Kriti Chopra](/sites/g/files/omnuum9881/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/cepr/files/kriti_1_0_0_0.jpg?itok=wxrRIdiT) [### Kristen Cummings ](/people/kristen-cummings)Senior Manager, Research Initiatives for College and Career Success Kristen Cummings is the Senior Manager of Research Initiatives for College and Career Success at CEPR. Previously, Kristen worked as an education researcher at Abt Associates, where she worked on federally funded studies focused on workforce development... ![Kristen Cummings](/sites/g/files/omnuum9881/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/cepr/files/kristen-cummings-profile-600x760.jpg?itok=kumtJ0la) [### Soojin Lee ](/people/soojin-lee) [soojin\_lee@gse.harvard.edu](mailto:soojin_lee@gse.harvard.edu)Research Program Associate, RICCS Soojin serves as the Research Program Associate for the Research Initiatives for College and Career Success (RICCS) at the Center for Education Policy Research (CEPR). Before joining CEPR, she held the position of researcher at the Korean Educational... ![Soojin Lee](/sites/g/files/omnuum9881/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/cepr/files/soojin_1.jpg?itok=kcqBFLWA) [### Elise Swanson ](/people/elise-swanson)Director of Research Initiatives for College and Career Success Elise Swanson is the Director of Research Initiatives for College and Career Success at CEPR, where she directs projects focused on using data and evidence effectively to support students’ preparation for, transitions into, and success in college and... ![Elise Swanson Headshot](/sites/g/files/omnuum9881/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/cepr/files/eswanson-headshot.jpg?itok=egxI_80-) [### Rachel Worsham ](/people/rachel-worsham)Senior Research Manager Rachel Worsham is a Senior Research Manager at the Center for Education Policy Research. Prior to joining CEPR, Rachel was a Postdoctoral Research Associate with the North Carolina Education Futures Initiative at the University of North Carolina at Chapel... ![Rachel Worsham](/sites/g/files/omnuum9881/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-06/headshot.JPG?itok=BcUz-Lts) See also:- [ Project ](/page-type/project) - [ Postsecondary Access & Success ](/focus-areas/postsecondary-access-and-success) - [ Research Initiatives for College and Career Success (RICCS) ](/projects/research-initiatives-college-and-career-success-riccs) - [ Leveraging Technology and Engaging Students (LTES) ](/https%3A//cepr.harvard.edu/leveraging-technology-and-engaging-students-ltes) - [ National Center for Rural Education Research Networks (NCRERN) ](/projects/national-center-rural-education-research-networks-ncrern) - [ Current ](/project-status/current) - [ Research and Development ](/services/research-and-development) - [ K12 ](/sector/k12) - [ Postsecondary ](/sector/postsecondary) - [ Workforce ](/sector/workforce)