In such a precarious time, community colleges must expand their support systems or risk losing their students. Many first-generation and lower income students may not have the knowledge or experience to figure out how to plot a path to a credential on their own. Experts suggest that community colleges should refine academic concentrations to engage these students right away and keep track of them throughout their education. Nearly 40% of two-year institutions in the country are constructing models with prescribed tracks of study for students. The less time and money a student wastes, the more likely they are to continue and succeed.
What Community Colleges Need to Thrive identifies strategies and approaches forward-thinking leaders are using to tackle the sector's most pressing challenges and where they can play a larger role in higher ed. It focuses on specific areas vital to future success for two-year institutions, including two of the most important: resources and leadership.
