Dr. Brad C. Phillips
Founder, California Partnership for Achieving Student Success (Cal-PASS)
Founder, Institute for Evidence-Based Change (IEBC)
Founder, Caring Campus
RP Group Board Member (1992-2003)
Throughout his 34-year career, Dr. Brad C. Phillips has been a driving force in making a difference in the lives of thousands of students by building organizations to collaborate, share, and use data to inform and direct educational practitioners toward innovative approaches to student learning and student success. Renowned for his transformative impact and unwavering commitment to institutional research, planning, and equity, he has shaped the landscape of student success and institutional effectiveness both in California and nationwide.
Dr. Phillips began his academic journey at California State University, Northridge, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. He later obtained a master’s degree in psychology from California State University, Los Angeles. Before pursuing his doctorate, he worked as a therapist in community mental health. Dr. Phillips then earned a doctorate in psychology with an emphasis on research methods and statistics from Claremont Graduate University.
From the start of his community college research career, Dr. Phillips has made significant contributions to institutional research, planning, and equity. He emerged as a leader among a new generation of community college researchers, advocating for an expanded role for research offices beyond state and trustee reports. Committed to student success, he worked with faculty and staff to identify barriers and improve outcomes, beginning his efforts as a researcher at Yuba College in the 1990s.
In 1992, Dr. Phillips was a founding Board member of The RP Group, recognizing the need for a dedicated research and planning organization for community colleges, and served as Vice President and Treasurer on its Board. Understanding the importance of aligning curricula between K-12 and higher education, he established the California Partnership for Achieving Student Success (Cal-PASS) in 1998—the first voluntary data-sharing system to connect K-12, community colleges, and universities. Under his leadership from 2003 to 2011, Cal-PASS expanded into a statewide initiative, with support and funding from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and various foundations. Dr. Phillips further shaped student success and institutional effectiveness with the launch of the Institute for Evidence-Based Change (IEBC) in 2011. IEBC is a nationally recognized nonprofit that empowers educators to use evidence-based data for informed decision-making, ultimately improving student outcomes.
In 2017, Dr. Phillips co-authored “Creating a Data-Informed Culture in Community Colleges” with IEBC Vice President Jordan E. Horowitz. The book serves as a blueprint for institutions, offering a research-based model and actionable strategies for using data strategically to enhance student success in community colleges.
One of Dr. Phillips’ most notable contributions was the launch of IEBC’s Caring Campus program in 2018, which trains college faculty, staff, and administrators to better connect with and support students. Recognizing that classified professionals are often students’ first point of contact, the program initially focused on providing tools for cultural change within this group, later expanding to faculty. Today, two-thirds of California’s community colleges have participated in Caring Campus, and the program continues to grow.
In addition to his role as president and chief executive officer of IEBC, Dr. Phillips is a frequent keynote speaker and author of numerous articles. He has received various recognitions and awards, including the Mertes Award for Excellence in Community College Research. He has also served as a data facilitator for Achieving the Dream, a member of the Advisory Board for the Texas Student Success Center, a member of the California Community Colleges Guided Pathways Advisory Committee, and an ambassador for the Leap of Reason national initiative.
Dr. Phillips’ distinguished career over three decades, has made him a key figure in strengthening the California Community Colleges system through research and collaboration. After dedicating 20 years of service in two college districts before founding IEBC, he is now nearing retirement. However, his legacy as a transformational leader is undeniable. His work has empowered educators to use data effectively, identify challenges, implement research-based solutions, and evaluate outcomes. His unwavering commitment to research, planning, and equity has left a lasting impact on student success and institutional effectiveness nationwide.
The RP Group is proud to honor Dr. Phillips’ leadership with the 2025 RP Group Lifetime Achievement Award.