Creating a collaborative environment across student services and instruction is often more challenging than it may first seem. Although effective collaboration is context specific, keeping student learning at the center of the work is a powerful element in successful collaborations. Grossmont College's first year experience program has attempted to create new patterns of behavior among faculty and students in order to foster the kinds of collaboration that can lead to deeper student learning, greater engagement and more success. In particular, an ongoing collaboration between the library, the professional development office, and a campus-wide supplemental student learning calendar serves as a good example of effective educational partnerships that have contributed to increased student success and retention.