2026 Knowledge Network

The DC Postsecondary Success Collaborative (the “Collaborative”) brings together professionals and organizations across the District who share a commitment to improving postsecondary outcomes for DC youth and residents. The Collaborative empowers youth by supporting the adults around them, offering an ecosystem of resources and a network rooted in purpose and driven by data. We envision a future where all young people and residents in DC can lead choice-filled lives, and we center anti-racism, equity, openness, and innovation in every aspect of our work to help make that vision real.

The Collaborative is launching a Knowledge Network (“KN”) in fall 2026. Knowledge Networks are small, facilitated professional learning communities that bring together practitioners with similar roles across the city’s postsecondary ecosystem to engage in sustained learning, peer exchange, and collaborative problem-solving.

Designed as a series of conversations, the KN creates space for building both new skills and meaningful connections among participants. The intention is to bridge silos between similar roles across the city, allowing for better efficiency and coordination in our ecosystem. 

Goals

The Knowledge Network will bring together educators, advisors, navigators, coaches, and other learner-facing professionals working directly with students and residents on postsecondary access and success.

By the end of the KN cycle, participants will have:

• Fostered meaningful connections to create a robust network of colleagues

• Gathered new resources for their programs and identified new resources to share with their students and residents

• Build shared language, understanding, and strategies around common challenges of postsecondary success

• Jointly contributed to a practitioner resource database to be shared with the broader Collaborative community

Key Design Elements

• Facilitated learning: The KN is led by an experienced facilitator.

• Stakeholder-informed curriculum: Session content is shaped by feedback from members, the Advisory Committee, and the citywide practitioner survey (findings will be shared by Collaborative staff).

• Role-relevant content: Topics focus on specific challenges relevant to learner-facing roles.

• Community building: Each session includes opportunities for formal and informal networking among peers.

• Hybrid or virtual setting: Facilitator can decide to make the KN fully virtual or hybrid in Washington, DC.

Schedule

• Program timeline: September-October 2026

• Meeting cadence: Monthly or twice-monthly, based on KN design

• Total sessions: Approximately 4 sessions during this initial cycle

The Collaborative seeks an experienced facilitator to lead the Learner-Facing Knowledge Network from program design through final reflection. The Facilitator will work in close partnership with the Collaborative’s Executive Director, who will provide ongoing guidance, curriculum feedback, and logistical support.

Responsibilities

• Curate a connected series of learning sessions aligned with KN goals

• Facilitate sessions or recruit guest experts, as needed

• Manage scheduling and communications with support from Collaborative staff

• Collect pre- and post-session feedback to support evaluation

• Submit session summaries and an end-of-series reflection capturing key learnings and recommendations

• Contribute to the development of a shared practitioner resource database

Phased Activities

• July-August 2026, Program Design: Co-develop the Knowledge Network’s cadence, session topics, and engagement strategy with the Collaborative’s Executive Director.

• August-September 2026, Outreach: Support Collaborative staff with recruitment of KN members while finalizing KN sessions.

• September-October 2026, Facilitation: Lead ~4 sessions, manage participant communications and follow-up, and gather feedback.

• November 2026, Reflection: Submit session summaries and an end-of-series reflection report.

The Collaborative is seeking an individual consultant with the following qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience facilitating professional learning communities, cohort-based programs, or peer learning groups

• Deep knowledge of postsecondary access and success, particularly as it relates to DC learners and the local postsecondary ecosystem

• Familiarity with the roles and day-to-day realities of learner-facing postsecondary success professionals (educators, advisors, navigators, coaches, and similar roles)

• Strong group facilitation skills, including the ability to build trust, hold space for candid exchange, and manage diverse perspectives

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines while collaborating closely with Collaborative staff

• Preferred: Existing relationships within DC’s postsecondary success learner-facing community; Experience with equity-centered facilitation approaches

The total budget for this engagement is approximately $7,000, inclusive of all facilitator fees. The Collaborative is open to adjusting the budget based on the scope, approach, and value proposed by the applicant. Applicants should submit a proposed budget that reflects their approach and anticipated level of effort. 

A modest separate programming budget will be available to support session-related expenses (e.g. guest experts, materials, light refreshments) and is not included in the facilitator fee.

• May 18, 2026: RFP released

• June 12, 2026: Proposal submission deadline (11:59pm EST)

• Rolling until June 19th, 2026: Interviews with shortlisted candidates

• June 26, 2026: Selected facilitator notified

Proposals must be submitted by 11:59pm EST on June 12, 2026 in order to be considered. Proposals will only be accepted via form at the bottom of this page.

Required Materials to Include in Your Proposal - Consolidate into One Document

1. Cover Letter (1 page) describing your interest in the role and how your experience aligns with the qualifications above.

2. Approach Narrative (2-3 pages) outlining your proposed approach to designing and facilitating the Knowledge Network, including how you would build community among learner-facing practitioners, structure the session series, and engage participants between sessions.

3. Resume or CV highlighting relevant facilitation, postsecondary success, and DC-based experience.

4. Proposed Budget with a brief narrative describing the level of effort and any assumptions.

5. References (2-3) from clients or partners who can speak to your program design and facilitation work.

6. Work Sample (optional) e.g. session agenda, facilitation guide, or learning series outline that demonstrates your approach. 

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview with Collaborative staff on a rolling basis until June 19, 2026.

Thank you for your interest! Questions about this RFP may be directed to:

mukta@dcpostsecondarysuccess.org

Mukta Ghorpadey

Executive Director, DC Postsecondary Success Collaborative

The DC Postsecondary Success Collaborative believes that the quality of our work depends on the diversity of perspectives, identities, and lived experiences represented among the people who lead it. We are committed to equity in our hiring and contracting practices and welcome proposals from people of all backgrounds. 

We especially encourage applications from BIPOC candidates; women and gender-expansive applicants; LGBTQ+ candidates; individuals with lived experience in DC’s postsecondary ecosystem; and candidates who reflect the diversity of the learners and practitioners served by the Collaborative.