Among its planning and coordinating responsibilities, the California Postsecondary Education Commission is required by state law to assess the ongoing effectiveness of postsecondary education in meeting societal, educational, and workforce needs. At its September 28-29 meeting, the Commission supported staff's proposed work plan to transition from enrollment demand analyses to a broader range of policy issues pertaining to student success and state workforce needs. Student success is the research topic being addressed first. Staff formed an advisory committee and held two meetings in November. This paper outlines a more refined and focused student success work plan, based in part on the suggestions and recommendations provided by advisory committee members.