In January 2011, the California Community Colleges Board of Governors formed a task force to chart a roadmap for system-wide focus on student success. The task force identified best practices and designed evidence-based recommendations to ensure student success is a driving theme in colleges. This comprehensive plan, known as the Student Success Initiative, focuses on the core missions of workforce preparation, remediation, transfer to four-year colleges and universities, and degree and certificate completion. The initiative is transforming community colleges and helping more students from all backgrounds achieve their educational goals. Five key improvements encourage students to embark on pathways of success, make higher education more accessible and transparent, and provide students with valuable information to help them choose career and educational goals while succeeding in their classes and staying on track. Five keys to success are presented in this report: (1) Priority Enrollment and Academic Standards; (2) Redesigned Student Support Services; (3) Transparency and Accountability; (4) Streamlined Transfer; and (5) Improving Basic Skills Instruction.