Eduardo Marti has seen good times and tough times. He's watched as community colleges have evolved and adapted to a rapidly changing world. But these days, the president of Queensborough Community College (QCC) in New York City is clearly concerned. A crumbling economy, budget cutbacks, and spiking enrollment have conspired to create the perfect storm: "Community colleges are an essential part of the American scene," he observes. "But the system is more fragile than ever. Schools and students are suffering." QCC isn't the only school to find itself blindsided by the current economic downturn. All across the country, community colleges are attempting to adapt to difficult times as best they can. This article describes how some community colleges cope with the challenges brought about by a crumbling economy, budget cutbacks, and spiking enrollments.