Hello friends and colleages! Welcome to the first edition of Field Notes with Dr. Al Solano! This brief newsletter is my space to share what I’m seeing in the field, practical resources you may find useful, updates on new tools and courses, and lessons learned while working alongside college educators committed to improving student success.
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Campus Visit Spotlight
One of the best parts of my work is seeing innovation in action.
Recently, I was back at Cerritos College a couple of times continuing our Scheduling for Student Success project. More than 70 educators joined us as we continue examining how institutional scheduling practices can better support student outcomes. We have wrapped up the fact-finding phase and moving into design and implementation. It's a privilege to coach Cerritos College.
While on campus, I came across something that immediately caught my attention. The college’s Basic Needs Center, Falcon’s Nest, provides students with financial assistance, food support, housing resources, clothing, and hygiene services.
But this stood out.
College educators, including President Dr. Jose Fierro, ride these special bicycles around campus distributing fresh fruit and other items directly to students.
When I saw one the of basic needs professionals, Danny, returning for a refill after quickly clearing out the baskets, I had to stop and take a closer look. It was wonderful to see a strategy come to life instead of it remaining in a strategic plan document.
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Meaningful PD
New Mini-Course: From Strategy to Implementation
For years, college educators have asked me to create professional development that is practical, super affordable, flexible, and focused on one thing: How do we move from planning to action?
I finally built it.
My new mini-course, From Strategy to Implementation, is designed for practitioners who are responsible for turning institutional priorities into coordinated action. Participants will learn how to:
-Diagnose why execution fails
-Apply the Inputs → Outputs implementation model
-Use the Three Cs: Clarity, Coherence, and Consensus
-Draft visuals that clarify intended outcomes
-Convert strategy into realistic action plans
-Manage time realistically using Dr. Al’s Three-Month Rule
-Address political and cultural barriers that slow progress
Learn more here: Explore the Mini-Course
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Quote Spotlight
Over 30K impressions on LinkedIn.
Learn more: Teaching & Learning Resources
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Resource Spotlight
I’m highlighting an episode from the Student Success Podcast that I think many educators will find timely. A.I. in the Classroom with Anna Mills
As artificial intelligence rapidly changes higher education, faculty are being asked to rethink long-standing assumptions about teaching, assignments, assessment, and academic integrity.
In this conversation, faculty Anna Mills and I discuss what thoughtful and responsible A.I. use in the classroom can look like.
Check it out here: Student Success Podcast Episode with Anna Mills
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Thought-Provoking Ideas
A year ago, I launched Continuous Learner on Substack as a dedicated space focused on two areas that define much of my work:
Teaching & Learning
Organizational Change
I transitioned to a platform where there would be significantly more exposure than in a self-contained blog within my website. The response has been incredible. Over 55K views! Here are three articles that have generated significant discussion.
Addressing Cognitive Offloading
A pedagogical framework for faculty incorporating A.I. in the classroom.Addressing Bullying in Higher Education
The hidden damage bullying causes within institutions and why educators must address it directly.Unattainable Goals: Failure by Design
Real leadership is about creating the conditions for people to succeed. Toxic leadership, by contrast, manufactures failure and then pretends to be surprised by it. One builds capacity. The other protects power.
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Thank you for spending a few minutes with me. I appreciate the opportunity to continue learning alongside educators across the country who are doing the challenging but meaningful work of improving outcomes for students.
See you in the next edition.
Onward…
Dr. Al Solano
Founder, Continuous Learning Institute | About Services
A meaningful test of success is how helpful we are in contributing to our fellow human being’s happiness.
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