Cassie Donnelly

Cassie is a Senior Program Specialist at the Success Center, leading program and project planning, implementation, and reporting on student success initiatives. Her research interests include higher education policy focused on leader and institutional effectiveness, change and postsecondary completion. Prior to joining the Foundation for California Community Colleges, Cassie worked at Sierra College for seven years in various capacities, and most recently oversaw the college’s marketing and communications office. Cassie was deeply involved in the initial implementation of the Guided Pathways framework at Sierra College and statewide. In addition, she has worked as an adjunct faculty teaching college-level public speaking and communication theory courses. Cassie holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and master’s degree in Communication Studies from Sacramento State, and a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from UCLA. She proudly began her higher education journey as an academic enrichment and transfer student at a California Community College.