The development of effective regional collaborations is essential to address interconnected challenges across education, workforce development, and economic growth. When community colleges, employers, and workforce development boards work together, they can align goals, share resources, and design strategies that strengthen regional economies.…

Rural regions across the United States are facing enduring challenges in aligning postsecondary education with industry and workforce development to advance economic mobility. The Tristate Energy and Advanced Manufacturing (TEAM) Consortium--which spans 45 counties across Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia--brings together ten community…

California Reconnect is a three-year initiative (2023-2026) led by InsideTrack, in partnership with the Institute for Higher Education Policy, to support re-enrollment and success of learners with some college but no credential (SCNC). Education Northwest is conducting a multi-year mixed-methods evaluation of the initiative. This interim…

With the recent approval of the Second Chance Pell Program and a proposal to reauthorize the Higher Education Act, a shift is occurring in favor of expanding educational opportunities to incarcerated adults. As reform to the criminal justice system becomes a focus, there is an immediate need to study the dynamic relationship between community…

Job Corps is the largest and most comprehensive education and job training program in the United States for young people ages 16 to 24 who are not in school or working. Most students live at and take classes at its approximately 120 residential centers. To explore ways to improve student outcomes and reduce per-student costs, Job Corps pilot…

Dual enrollment allows high school students to participate in college courses, earning both high school and college credits. Although many high schools offer dual enrollment to all students, past research has demonstrated a significant gap in the participation of low-income students and students of color compared to their White and Asian…

The Mississippi Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (MIBEST) initiative is a statewide workforce and economic development effort led by the Mississippi Community College Board and implemented in partnership with the state's 15 community colleges. MIBEST concurrently delivers career and technical education and adult education, targeting…

The University Center Model was designed to serve as an option for attainment of baccalaureate and master's degrees by making 4-year institutions accessible through partnerships with a community college. This model has been prevalent on select community college campus for almost 20 years, with little research to substantiate the effectiveness of…

The Genomics Education Partnership (GEP), a consortium of diverse colleges and universities, provides support for integrating genomics research into undergraduate curricula. To increase research opportunities for underrepresented students, GEP is expanding to more community colleges (CC). Genomics research, requiring only a computer with Internet…

With a looming enrollment crisis, colleges must explore new efforts for developing strategic and sustainable partnerships that support institutional advancement. As such, Kent State University (KSU) partnered with three regional, two-year institutions developing high-impact pathways to expand upon the transfer student experience and success rates.…

Undergraduate research (UR) is an integral part of the culture at Queensborough Community College, CUNY (QCC), an urban community college with a diverse student population. Since 2015, more than 400 students participate in undergraduate research experiences each year, working with more than 40 faculty mentors from several academic departments.…

Evidence today shows that there is a skills gap among employable young adults. This study was based on a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program evaluation that was conducted in a rural school district in northwest North Carolina. The study examined the perceptions of the program by CTE high school teachers, CTE community college instructors,…

This report documents the results to date of reforms underway from Ohio Strong Start to Finish, one of the six systems that make up the first phase of the Strong Start to Finish initiative, an initiative of Education Commission of the States. Through Ohio Strong Start to Finish, the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE), along with the Ohio…

This report documents the results to date of reforms underway from Strong Start Arkansas, one of the six systems that make up the first phase of the Strong Start to Finish initiative, an initiative of Education Commission of the States. Building on previous initiatives, Strong Start Arkansas (SSARK) was created as a partnership between the…

This report documents the results to date of reforms underway from The City University of New York (CUNY)--Strong Start to Finish (SSTF), one of the six systems that make up the first phase of the Strong Start to Finish initiative, an initiative of Education Commission of the States. CUNY colleges currently provide a range of options for…