Minnesota College Attainment Network Launches to Strengthen Statewide Support for Student Success
A new statewide network connects organizations, educators, and advocates to expand equitable pathways to college and family-sustaining careers.
The Minnesota College Attainment Network (MinnesotaCAN) transitions from Minnesota CBO Coalition into fully digitally launching as MinnesotaCAN this month bringing together community-based organizations, educators, and advocates from across the state to create a more connected, equitable ecosystem of support for Minnesota students’ postsecondary success.
Rooted in practitioner experience and centered on student voices, MinnesotaCAN exists to strengthen collaboration, align shared practice, and amplify what works—so more Minnesotans can persist in college, earn credentials, and transition into family-supporting careers.
“Minnesotans can attain post-secondary success,” said network leaders. “We know that when students receive sustained, coordinated support from high school through college, outcomes improve. MinnesotaCAN is here to connect and scale those proven efforts statewide.”
At the head of MinnesotaCAN are 3 experienced leaders supported by staff who come prepared with diverse strengths to create a well-rounded approach to facilitating collaboration, furthering practitioner education, as well as coordinating advocacy for members. Leadership includes Caitlyn Cole - Director of Program at Achieve Twin Cities, Shannon Oldenburg - Director of Strategic Partnerships at Wallin Educational Partners, and BG Tucker - Executive Director at College Possible Minnesota.
Why MinnesotaCAN—and Why Now
Research shows that 87% of effective college access and success programs provide sustained support that stays with students over time. Yet too often, organizations operate in silos, practitioners lack shared data and language, and students experience fragmented systems.
MinnesotaCAN was created to address these challenges by aligning organizations around common priorities, equity-centered coaching practices, and shared measures of success—ensuring opportunity reaches every community.
The urgency is clear. In 2025, Minnesota ranked 48th in the nation for student-to-counselor ratios, with an average of 530 students per counselor, more than double the recommended 250:1 ratio. This strain limits the guidance students receive on college applications, financial aid, and career pathways—especially those facing systemic barriers.
A Well‑Rounded Community, United by Purpose
Minnesota is strengthened by a dedicated network of organizations committed to student success. MinnesotaCAN members currently support students through personalized advising, meaningful scholarship and affordability guidance for students, their families, and practitioners, and elevating student and practitioner voices to influence systems and policy.
Together, these partners will collaborate to create pathways, remove barriers, and ensure students are supported not just to enroll—but to persist and graduate.
What MinnesotaCAN Does
Alignment & Collaboration
MinnesotaCAN convenes community organizations, educators, and advocates across Minnesota to align strategies, resources, and goals in support of student's’ college and career attainment. This looks like sharing timely policy and data updates as well as creating space for collaboration through regular meetings and trainings, as well as regularly shared digital newsletters.
Shared Learning
MinnesotaCAN equips professionals from direct-service staff to managers and program directors, with the knowledge, tools, and connections to strengthen Minnesota’s college and career ecosystem. Topics for this learning are explored through quarterly convenings, shared on our website and in our digital newsletter, as well as an annual conference. Topics include but are not limited to: data-informed coaching, FAFSA, affordability, and sector updates, systems change and advocacy, and persistence and postsecondary transitions.
Advocacy & Amplified Voices
MinnesotaCAN elevates practitioner and student experiences to influence policy and systems change. The network is beginning to plan a future College Attainment Advocacy Day at the State Capitol, empowering participants with tools and preparation to engage directly with legislators and share real student experiences.
Join the Network
MinnesotaCAN welcomes organizations that:
Provide college access, success, or persistence advising or counseling
Value equity, collaboration, and student voice
Want to stay aligned on policy, systems, and data
Believe collective impact is essential to student success
From executive leadership to counselors and advisors, MinnesotaCAN invites partners across the state to join this growing network.
