Two-year colleges have an important role in the educational and economic advancement of the United States, particularly during the current economic crisis. They offer access to higher education for economically and/or educationally impoverished students, as well as for those who have simply returned for further study. Two-year colleges provide academic training for those seeking to upgrade their skills to qualify for promotion or a new career. The colleges also have a crucial role in the recruitment, training, and professional development of STEM educators. How can community college faculty best help such a diverse group of students achieve a level of mathematical proficiency that will help them meet their personal, academic and career goals? What does research suggest about coursework that will facilitate the development of abstract reasoning skills that lead to proficiency in higher level academic and career-related problem solving?