Completion Articles

High impact, high reward

When I stepped into the role of coordinator of High Impact Practices (HIPs) at Seminole State College of Florida on July 8, 2024, I joined a team already laying strong groundwork for something transformative. What I found was a group of passionate faculty, staff and administrators who were ready to take high-impact learning to the […]

From setback to comeback

At Carroll Community College, second chances aren’t just possible; they’re woven into the very fabric of the college’s mission. One way this mission comes to life is through the Justice System to Careers Initiative (JSCI), a groundbreaking program that’s turning lives around for adults and youth impacted by the justice system. More than a program […]

Viewpoint: Expanding what success means for our nation’s community colleges

As debates rage about the value of higher education and confidence continues to erode in the impact of higher education institutions, community colleges need to remind the public and policymakers of their mission and demonstrate the understandable and measurable effects for the students they enroll and the communities they serve. Community colleges have always been […]

Report roundup

Here are three reports to read this month. Though overall persistence and retention rates have remained relatively flat among community college students who entered in fall 2023, the rates for older learners show big drops, according to a new report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. Fall 2024 enrollments for two-year students who entered […]

Wildfires inspire students’ STEM innovations

The Community College Innovation Challenge (CCIC) aims to foster solutions developed by two-year college students to address real-world STEM problems. What is particularly unique this year is how many finalist projects came about from discussions about wildfires. During a CCIC poster showcase held on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, 12 student-led teams from community colleges across […]

Program reaches an apprenticeship milestone

In 2018, Hinds Community College partnered with KLLM Transport Services and the U.S. Department of Labor to establish a Truck Driver Registered Apprenticeship program. This April, the partners reached a significant milestone of 1,000 apprentices completing the registered apprenticeship program. “KLLM is committed to having the safest truck drivers on the road and ensuring from […]

Arizona college launches three-year bachelor’s degree program

Yavapai College (YC) announced May 22 that it will offer a three-year bachelor’s degree – the new Optimized 92-credit Bachelor of Applied Science in Business (BASB) degree. The degree will launch for the upcoming fall 2025 semester, and the Arizona college will be the first community college in the United States to offer a three-year […]

Student story: Finding her voice and purpose

Dejntxhee Vang’s career dreams have ebbed and flowed, mostly influenced by her surroundings. Vang, known as DJ, yearned to be a farmer like her cousins in Missouri. Her family lived with them when she was young. Her goals morphed into art and design when the family moved to Alaska. She briefly explored science fields like […]

Using data, technology to advance student outcomes

The use of labor market information (LMI) and student outcomes data, as well as the innovative use of technology, are key for improving students’ economic outcomes. Last year, the Project on Workforce and Education Design Lab studied four community colleges working to integrate LMI, student performance data and new technologies to better support underserved students. […]

The power of first-generation programs

At Seminole State College of Florida, the First Generation Program, fondly referred to as First Gen, is more than a support system — it serves as a launchpad for students who are the first in their families to pursue a college degree. Seminole State serves about 2,400 First Gen students. By offering mentorship, resources and […]