For some, non-degree programs represent the future of education. But for others, they are a hyped-up distraction from degree attainment that leads to unemployment, underemployment, or employment in poverty-wage jobs with limited advancement opportunities.

A new project aims to help unlock the full potential of non-degree workforce training, especially at public community colleges where these programs are commonly found.

Illustration: Jon Krause

College students and other young adults are a ripe target for online scams.

There are bogus loan-forgiveness and fake scholarship “opportunities.” There are online-shopping and credit-card scams. There is social-media account takeover fraud. And now, with the Biden administration’s student-loan cancellation program making headlines, officials worry young people will become even bigger targets.

About 4 million working-age Californians have completed some college credits but left before they could earn a degree. Now, they're about to benefit from personalized support and coaching to help them re-enroll in higher education.

Four higher education organizations—California Competes: Higher Education for a Strong Economy, InsideTrack, the Institute for Higher Education Policy, and ProjectAttain!—are launching a new statewide campaign called California Reconnect to give adult learners a fresh start to return to college and earn a degree.