When the going gets tough, the tough get...innovative. That's the approach some forward-thinking community college leaders are taking as their institutions set about the task of restocking the nation's workforce in the face of historic enrollments and severe, if seemingly unending, budget cuts. Recognized by the Aspen Institute as the most…

As the number of two- and four-year college options available to community members grows, so too does the competition among institutions of higher education to land new students. Expectations are high. Today's students want more than a quality education. They also want a college with a service culture--one that works with them to create an…

While it is too early to measure changes in fall 2011 enrollments, overcrowding on campuses is likely to remain a problem, at least for the foreseeable future. For community colleges, many of which face steep budget cuts in the coming year, the challenge will be how to draw back spending without negatively affecting the student experience.…

As community colleges welcome an influx of veterans returning from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, administrators must focus on helping these soldiers--many who are pursuing higher education for the first time--obtain the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in a changing economy. The process starts the moment these men and women set foot on…

It is a wonderful surprise when an executor calls to inform that one's college has been remembered in an individual's estate, either for a future gift or one that is being distributed. Leaving this legacy often enriches the final years of a donor's life. But too often, these opportunities are left to chance because community college development…

Community colleges are dealing with, and often leading, a historical shift from a 100-year focus on access to a new emphasis on access "and" student success. The impetus for this work comes from many directions--the president of the United States and the secretary of education, at least 30 governors, other state policymakers, the…

It's no secret within the academic or manufacturing communities that community colleges are the nation's training ground for industrial-skilled trade careers. But outside community college classrooms and industrial plants, many people are in the dark about the growing numbers of these often-well-paid and in-demand jobs. This article introduces the…

With the rising popularity of personal mobile devices, from smartphones to tablets, an increasing number of colleges are asking students and teachers to bring their own technology to class. The so-called bring your own device, or BYOD, movement promises easier access to resources such as textbooks and educational services for students, and…

Every community college engages in partnerships and collaboration. The trend for community colleges has been to increase the number and diversity of partnerships and collaborations. Current economic conditions, which require community colleges to serve more students with decreased state funding and to assume a larger role in workforce development,…

The best leaders use their talents to inspire the people around them. They lead by example, propping up their staff and students with infectious enthusiasm and a will to succeed. This article profiles the efforts of several community college leaders from institutions big and small, and the many causes through which they have achieved success.…

In 2006, the former Education Secretary Margaret Spellings' Commission on the Future of Higher Education released a final report on the status of American higher education. The commission painted a critical picture of American higher education as being unconcerned about escalating costs, arrogant, and unwilling to change. University sectors…

For more than 100 years, the Student Access Agenda has been the driving force of the community college movement. In the past two decades, the Student Success Agenda has emerged and become the single most important goal for community colleges. As it has evolved, it has morphed into the Completion Agenda, a more sharply focused goal of student…

As the market for online communications evolves, it's hard to blame college administrators for feeling a bit deluged. Gone are the days of traditional media, where communications professionals relied on newspapers and print and radio advertising to recruit students and tell their stories. With more students embracing technology today--particularly…

The Completion Agenda has emerged as the overarching mission of the community college. Never in the history of the community college movement has an idea so galvanized stakeholders--from the White House to the state house. Never has so much funding from philanthropic groups, such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Lumina Foundation, been…

Few industries are as critical to the U.S. economy as transportation. Skilled automotive, railroad, and airline technicians shuttle the goods and people that drive every aspect of domestic and international commerce. The transportation sector offers some of the most exciting opportunities for workers to address critical issues of this time:…