Modern learners need educational offerings that keep them relevant throughout their careers and institutions need to strategically launch and scale these non-degree offerings across the institution. The modern learner isn’t…
Community College
Defining the Modern Learner Lifecycle In This New Normal
Thomas Stith III | President, North Carolina Community College System Madeline Pumariega, Frank Dooley, Philip Regier, Sue EllspermannAs higher education looks to establish a new normal, it’s important for institutions to adapt to the lifelong learner cycle to provide programming and support that meets learners needs at…
As the need to close the skill gaps increases, institutions can look to deliver job-focused education to not only meet the needs of employers but also the modern learner. Students…
Changing Momentum Behind Workforce Development at Community Colleges
Michael Baston | President, Cuyahoga Community CollegeAs the lifelong learner becomes the majority learner demographic, institutions need to look at developing short-term programming that can meet both learner and labor market demands. On this week’s episode…
The pandemic has highlighted how vital community colleges are in filling workforce skills gaps and giving the community opportunities to get back into the workforce. Community colleges often have their…
The Modern Community College: The Underused Asset in Socioeconomic Development
Chris Lorch | Provost, Ozarka CollegeThe pandemic highlighted and aggravated existing socioeconomic disparities within our communities, and community colleges are the key to tackling them. Providing affordable, flexible and community-based education, community colleges is an…
With the pandemic highlighting inequities among communities, higher ed has the opportunity to reshape its way of thinking and deliver on its mission to support the lifelong learner. Community colleges…
Competency-Based Education: A Blueprint for More Equitable Education-Employment Pathways
Aisha N. Lowe | Vice Chancellor of Educational Services and Support, California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office Christine CarpenterCompetency-based education is not only more flexible and affordable—it can improve equity on college and university campuses, levelling the playing field for historically marginalized students. Like most crises, the COVID-19…
Community colleges have long been the victims of classism in higher education, but they now have the opportunity to shine by providing continuing education that will, in turn, help develop…
Leveraging Continuing Ed and Workforce Development in Community Colleges
Angela Long | Chief Engagement Officer, Tallahassee Community CollegeMore working adults are trying to figure out their next move to stay relevant in the workforce. By working together, continuing ed and workforce divisions can build the right career…
Community colleges’ mission is to serve the community. By leveraging Continuing Ed’s ability to deliver non-credit programming that meets the needs of adult learners, community colleges can serve their mission…
The Digital Divide and Rural Electrification
Jon Bauer | President, East Central College Ed Up ExperienceDistance education has changed significantly. Going forward, institutions must keep the digital divide that has been highlighted by the pandemic at the forefront of their minds to make education more…
Community colleges are becoming agile operations critical to our economic recovery. It’s important to eliminate the stigma that has surrounded them for decades. There has always been stigma around community…
Using Research and Identification to Find Solutions in Food Insecurity
Charise Breeden-Balaam | Visiting Lecturer, Community College of PhiladelphiaFood insecurity has always had massive impact on community college students but even moreso during the pandemic. Institutions must adequately research and identify this issue on their campuses to provide…
As today’s students continue their educational journey while in the workforce, institutions can begin to leverage their continuing ed divisions and industry leaders to deliver on their lifelong learning mission. …
People-First Leadership: The Right Response to the Pandemic
Todd Hernandez | President, Northwest State Community CollegeAlthough shaken up by the pandemic, this became an opportunity for higher ed leaders to come together, establish trust and create a better future for higher ed. Since the pandemic,…
One size does not fit all when it comes to supporting learners in different regions. Programming needs to be designed to meet the specific needs of learners and employers in…
Identifying Barriers to Innovation
Amardeep Kahlon | Dean of the Technical Institute, Unity CollegeHigher education has been historically slow to change, but this current time of uncertainty offers institutions the opportunity to re-invent themselves according to students’ needs. Higher Education is at the…
There may be dull moments in engagement where no fish are biting—be patient and ensure that the right information is available and accessible on your website, so you can navigate…
Three Ways States Can Help Community College Transfer Students Complete Their Bachelor’s Degrees
Alexandria Walton Radford | Director of the Center for Applied Rearch in Postsecondary Education, American Institutes for Research Aleksandra HolodTransfer credits often determine whether a student will complete a college degree, with many receiving little to none. But experts are starting to find that implementing statewide postsecondary education articulation…
Non-credit training and programs are in higher demand than ever before. Community colleges need to find ways in which they too can get onboard with non-credit education to retain students…
Beyond the Rankings: Regional Colleges’ Impact on Their Communities
Alicia B. Harvey-Smith | President and CEO, Pittsburgh Technical CollegeRegional colleges tend to be more heavily involved within their local communities—and though it’s not their reason for doing so—academic rankings, which traditionally focus on more prestigious four-year institutions, can…
With a tremendous experience collaborating with the workforce in developing the right programs, community colleges have a great opportunity to position themselves more prominently in the higher ed space. Community…
Conscious Development of Continuing Ed in Community Colleges
Frank Nunez | District Director of Trade and Training, State Center Community College DistrictIn creating non-credit offerings, having an organization that can facilitate discussions and support from other regional leaders is important to developing the best learner experience. Non-credit programming is becoming an…
No matter what education path someone takes, work-based and experiential learning will always hold high value—something that community colleges need to incorporate into their program models. Community colleges are there…
Continuing Ed as the Strategic Imperative for Community Colleges
Carlos Cortez | Chancellor, San Diego Community College DistrictCommunity colleges aren’t used to distance education, and the pandemic has forced them to rethink their infrastructure around it. It isn’t an easy step to take, but once you begin…
To increase the number of adults with education beyond high school, colleges will need to see credit and non-credit education as equals and quickly deliver the skills employers need right…
Taking a Regional Approach to Collaboration in Non-Traditional Programming
Monica Johnston | Director of Workforce Development, Metropolitan Community CollegeTo give students the best learning experience they can have, higher ed leaders need to keep relationships strong and doors open when it comes to innovative ideas, so everyone can…
Community colleges can develop high-quality non-credit programming but what’s most important is that they illustrate the value of this pathway to their students and faculty. Community colleges have an opportunity…
Finding Financial Support for Non-credit Programming in Community Colleges
Albert Lewis | Vice President of Economic and Workforce Development, Bellevue CollegeWith non-credit programming typically offered in continuing education units, it’s time for institutions to rethink its value and who should be able to offer it. Non-credit offerings in the community…