Urban community colleges fulfill a critical role in metropolitan areas. These institutions are often large by design, with campuses in various communities and neighborhoods so that the institution may fulfill its open access mission across a metropolitan area. This article addresses three emerging initiatives that enable the urban community college to fulfill its open-access mission - modern workforce development, dual enrollment, and non-degree credential programs. While these programs or initiatives may seem separately unique and even siloed, they are essential pieces of a comprehensive strategy that the modern urban community college should implement to ensure open access to a diverse population of students while simultaneously addressing critical business and industry needs. Careful design and management of these programs are essential to fulfilling the urban community college's evolving mission in modern society.