In 2008 and 2009, the Research and Planning Group for California Community Colleges (RP Group) worked closely with the Hewlett Foundation to focus attention on excellent work in basic skills education at California's community colleges. Hewlett Leaders in Student Success highlighted innovations by front-runners in California in order to help accelerate the efforts of all community colleges. Over the two years, the program named seven "Hewlett Leaders," exemplary colleges that demonstrated measurable improvements in success rates among under-prepared students. The program also provided funding to help Hewlett Leaders disseminate their work to other schools. This document summarizes how the colleges were selected and describes some specific, noteworthy practices. [This paper was written in collaboration with Linda Umbdenstock and Kathy Booth.]