Community colleges are essential to workforce and economic development ecosystems, and our speed to market strategies facilitate talent recruitment and development, workforce retention and upskilling. Our institutions are well-known in our regions as problem-solvers for employers, but how do we connect effectively with our businesses that are owned by international corporations? In Ohio, more than […]
Mission and Values Articles
Connecting students with affordable housing in Texas
Austin Community College District (ACC) announces a new partnership with Housing Connector, a nonprofit organization dedicated to removing barriers to housing. This collaboration aims to connect more ACC students with stable housing. According to a recent survey from the college, 55% of ACC students indicated they are housing insecure. Additionally, 57% of students would have […]
Tapping theatre to learn and grow
College students who take an independent study expect to work by themselves, guided by a professor. But for five Raritan Valley Community College students enrolled this summer in a Theatre Independent Study class with theatre professor Dennis Russo, their “independent” work took on a much greater meaning. As part of their independent study, students Arielle […]
Drive plus opportunity leads to success for grad
Austin Community College District (ACC) joined The Other Ones Foundation (TOOF) and Workforce Solutions Capital Area to celebrate 23 graduates of a hands-on HVAC and automotive training program on August 6 at the John Paul DeJoria Skills Center. Developed by TOOF and ACC with support from philanthropist John Paul DeJoria, the program helps individuals exiting […]
Statewide effort prioritizes mental health support for students
A Health Minds Study conducted last year at the 16 schools across the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) revealed the need for more mental health support for students. According to the study, 68% of students showed signs of depression, and 66% reported anxiety symptoms. But only 27% of those who screened positive for […]
Opening doors for displaced federal workers
When the Trump administration began massive layoffs of federal workers earlier this year, community colleges jumped in to help displaced workers prepare for new careers. Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) announced NOVA next (New Employment, Exploration and Transition) in March. The program enables unemployed federal workers and federal contractors to enroll in select courses at […]
Creative approaches to house students
Community college leaders have long realized that the more barriers to success they can eliminate, the more likely students are to graduate. Now, a growing number of colleges are adding housing insecurity to the list of barriers they’re tackling by providing stable, safe and affordable housing options for students. The number of community colleges that offer […]
Giving students a leg up on finances
Pang Garcia talks about what no one else will – money. Garcia, a student involvement specialist at Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC), is great at teaching others how to budget their money. “Money is one of those things where nobody wants to talk about it,” she said. “It’s like a hush-hush thing, but it impacts […]
Community colleges as engines for economic development
For more than two decades, I’ve seen firsthand how community colleges change lives. I began my career as an adjunct sociology instructor at a large urban-suburban community college. Today, I serve as vice president for academic affairs and workforce development at a community college that serves residents in a city and six large counties. Over […]
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 […]