A new international comparative study shows that America’s approach to education reveals major contradictions: high expenditure and high levels of education, but low average performance. The United States consistently ranks low compared to other countries when it comes to literacy, numeracy and problem-solving in technology-rich environments. America’s Skills Challenge: Millennials and the Future, published by […]

North Carolina, once home to a traditional economy based on tobacco, furniture and textiles, is stepping up its game and preparing to become a regional hot spot for a new global economy, requiring new kinds of workers — and community colleges are teaming up to help. To keep pace with the need for skilled workers […]

In response to a growing need for skilled employees in a burgeoning industry, San Jacinto Community College, in Houston, Texas, is building a 45,000-square-foot, high-tech maritime technology and training center and expanding its educational program. With classes expected to start in 2016, the new facility is the result of a productive partnership forged between the […]

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is laying out goals for the state, and as part of his plan, community colleges are getting a bit of attention. In his State of the State address, the governor challenged Michigan community colleges to step up their game to prepare future employees for skilled-labor jobs and facilitate the transition from […]

If enacted, President Barack Obama’s free community college proposal could make higher education a reality for many more students in this country. Another added benefit: It has great potential to close the U.S. skills gap. Community colleges will be essential in educating the workers who will take the current 26 percent of jobs that require […]

Due to declining enrollments nationwide, many community colleges are scaling back programs and making difficult cuts. Both the budget and the student body at North Carolina’s Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC) have shrunk over the last few years. But not the physical size and scope of the college. Construction has been a constant at GTCC over […]

When offering online and remote education, you work with what you have — or around what your students don’t have. At Pine Technical and Community College (PTCC) in rural Pine City, Minn., many students don’t have access to high-speed Internet. So the college offers courses designed to be accessed via a dial-up connection — the only […]

There are many aspects of the American dream. One is that with enough hard work and dedication, you can start your own business. Of course, financial acumen, a business plan, and a few other key skills also really help. Pennsylvania’s Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) is helping prospective entrepreneurs gain those business skills with “Start Your Own […]

Community colleges far and wide have entered into partnerships with local businesses to provide critical training for their employees. These partnerships give businesses work-ready employees, provide colleges with a steady stream of income and offer communities better economic outlooks. Here’s another benefit: These corporate training programs give colleges a wealth of knowledge — and equipment — they can also […]

Community colleges have long served populations that are underrepresented in higher education. Students who have been in foster care have among the lowest high school and higher education success rates. This past semester, Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC) in Springfield, Mo., began a pilot project to help foster care youth age 17 to 21 prepare […]