If community colleges are to remain relevant, they must be future-oriented, and responsive to demographic and labor force shifts. The Get Skilled, Get a Job, Give Back initiative (G3) was implemented during the 2021-22 academic year to retain economically disadvantaged students, improve community college completion, and help students graduate into…

The problem to be addressed by this study is that Maine's workforce is facing a significant shortage of skilled labor which is impacting the sustainability and growth of Maine's economy. The shortage of skilled workers extends from trades to medical professionals and is worsened by Maine's unique demographical and geographical factors. In response…

After two years of operation, North Carolina's Teaching and Learning Hubs have grown substantially, broadening participation by faculty in particular, and demonstrating improvements in course success rates. By implementing the Hubs as a statewide model for delivering professional learning (PL) to faculty and building regional capacity, it is…

We utilize a difference-in-difference design to examine the effect of adopting a statewide promise program on the enrollment of community college students across socio-economic status. Limited by a small sample size for treated units, we find inferential evidence that the adoption of a state-wide, last-dollar promise program for community colleges…

In 2020, Kentucky embarked on a journey to transform teaching and learning in the state through its "United We Learn" initiative. As a result of that work, Kentucky learning communities are making significant strides toward innovative deeper learning practices. In Aurora Institute's glossary, the term "deeper learning"…

In this qualitative study, we focused on a two-way model of engagement, utilizing observational and individual interview data to examine community members' perceptions of their participation in a statewide initiative to increase leadership capacity at the community level. We review barriers to engagement recognized in the literature. Our study…

Professional organizations can play an important role in the lives and work of educators. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore Alabama educators' experiences with membership in statewide professional organizations and to determine what benefits, if any, members feel their organizations provide them. Four main benefits that…

This article describes a pilot project focused on creating opportunities for self-determination to enhance the community participation outcomes of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities using the Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction (SDLMI). The pilot project grew out of a partnership between researchers at a university…

A review of recent literature reveals an ever-growing number of papers related to the topics of service learning and community engagement incorporated into capstone classes. The current literature identifies examples of institutions that have sufficient resources to address large-scale industry-funded domestic projects or international projects in…

The dramatic decline of rural industries (such as coal mining, millwork, or farming) over the last several decades coupled with most jobs requiring some sort of postsecondary education in today's U. S. economy means postsecondary credential attainment has taken on increased importance for rural social mobility. College accessibility appears to be…

The 2024 Institutional Effectiveness Partnership Initiative (IEPI) Legislative Report provides a comprehensive analysis of California's efforts to improve student success, institutional effectiveness, and equity across its 116 community colleges. Covering activities from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, this report highlights key findings,…

This study investigated perceptions of graduates from two different leadership development programs, considering influences in three areas: (a) the individual (program graduate), (b) the participant's organization, and (c) the participant's community. The researcher identified program elements that have greater or lesser influence after completion…

In this study, I explored professional learning community sustainability at the school, district, and state levels. Researchers have found that professional learning communities are a means of effective professional learning for teachers and a vital factor in increased student achievement. However, there is very little multi-case research…

Pursuant to California Education Code provisions 17201(i)(1)(B)(C), 17203.5, and 66014.6, the California Community Colleges Student Housing 2024 report provides the following information: (1) the 2024 Annual Progress on California Community Colleges Affordable Student Housing; (2) the 2024 California Community Colleges Housing Insecurity; and (3)…

Basic Needs Oregon was established in 2021 through House Bill 2835 to ensure that students enrolled at Oregon's public colleges and universities can meet their basic needs--including food, housing, health care, transportation, and emergency financial support--so they can persist and succeed in higher education. Drawing on Basic Needs Oregon…