What We Do
The Office of Consortial Academic Collaboration (OCAC) at The Claremont Colleges is committed to advancing cross-institutional collaborations and fostering a culture of collaboration within our consortium. Through strategic guidance, supportive resources, and proactive facilitation, we empower member institutions to achieve impactful outcomes and strengthen their collective capabilities, all of which is guided by our framework and values for a collaborative consortium.
Our Mission
The mission of the Office of Consortial Academic Collaboration (OCAC) is to guide, support, and facilitate cross-institutional collaborations that enrich the academic and intellectual life of The Claremont Colleges consortium, unlocking its full potential as a premier alliance of higher education institutions.
Our Vision
The vision of OCAC is to be the key partner for scalable, cross-institutional collaborations at The Claremont Colleges and a model of impactful collaboration among higher education consortia across the country. Our office provides expert guidance and support to achieve the highest standards of academic excellence within a united consortium.
Our Framework
The Office of Consortial and Academic Collaboration (OCAC) supports, guides and facilitates high-quality consortial integration, supported by 4 key pillars. By strategically addressing these areas, OCAC empowers member institutions to collaborate effectively, maximize resources, and achieve exceptional outcomes that exemplify a model higher education consortium.
Talent—Identifying and Cultivating Expertise: A highly effective consortium excels in identifying and cultivating top talent within its network of interdisciplinary experts. It proactively connects expertise, fostering collaboration on high-impact projects and ensuring diverse and synergistic voices are included across initiatives. By strategically leveraging the collective expertise of its members, the consortium optimizes project outcomes and drives innovation.
Tools—Resource Optimization and Technology Integration: A highly effective consortium recognizes the strategic advantage of pooling and leveraging collective resources, including methodological knowledge, integrated technologies, and facilities for optimal project outcomes. This collaborative approach and culture maximize the quality and impact of scholarly efforts to empower the consortium to scale initiatives more effectively.
Training—Knowledge Sharing and Best Practices: A highly effective consortium optimizes its collective knowledge and proximity to share best practices, integrate institutional memory, and exchange opportunities, both formal and informal. This approach cultivates an informed, dedicated and open network of skilled consortial professionals who are capable of making informed impact within the consortium and beyond.
Treasure—Leveraging Resources to Invest in Ourselves: A highly effective consortium supports its members by pooling resources and expertise to invest in collaborative sponsorships, grants, and contracts, ensuring financial sustainability beyond what a single institution could achieve alone. Moreover, it integrates grants and projects to build a sustainable pipeline of funding streams, fostering long-term financial stability and impactful initiatives that benefit all members. By developing equitable strategies for resource allocation and funding distribution, the consortium enhances the strength and resilience of each member institution.
Our Guiding Values
Our guiding values encapsulate the strategic advantages and benefits that each college derives from consortium membership. They serve as foundational pillars aimed at fostering collective success and impact in higher education. The Office of Consortial and Academic Collaboration (OCAC) utilizes these values to prioritize initiatives and allocate resources effectively. They represent our commitment to:
Co-creativity– Work collaboratively with 7C institutional partners to uphold and innovate consortial excellence and working beyond mere campus-sharing to achieve transformative impact.
Adaptability, Resilience and Sustainability– Bolster the longevity of our consortium by facilitating swift responses to new climates and evolving the consortial infrastructure to effectively navigate challenges and seize opportunities. Contribute to sustainable practices and conscientious resource management within the consortium and among member institutions, ensuring long-term environmental, social, and economic viability.
Leveraging Greater Scale and Impact- Harness the consortium’s size and collective influence to achieve significant and sustainable advancements in higher education and broader societal impact.
Expanded Opportunities– Create diverse opportunities for faculty and students through collaborative research endeavors, joint academic programs, and comprehensive professional development initiatives.
Impact– Harness the consortium’s size and collective influence to: 1) expand scholarly opportunities for faculty and students; 2) achieve significant, sustainable advancements in higher education and through broader, societal impact
Community– Cultivate a supportive community within the consortium that fosters collaboration, facilitates robust knowledge sharing, and drives innovative practices across member institutions.