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Tags: AccessMay 2026Agriculture remains the backbone of California’s economy, contributing over $50 billion...
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Tags: Community RelationsApril 2026Community colleges are central to economic and workforce development, providing direct connection...
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Tags: DiversityApril 2026North Seattle College’s Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Early Childhood Education (ECE)...
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Tags: Organizational CultureMarch 2026Community college employees are all in for students, yet many are stretched thin. They believe in...
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Economic Development
April
2026
Popular
April
2026
Community colleges are central to economic and workforce development, providing direct connection to upward mobility through access to education and training. As a uniquely American structure within our higher education ecosystem, these institutions strive to broaden access and are notably resilient, adaptive, and community-informed.
At the same time, our localness means we cannot easily be separated from the opportunities or the economic realities of the regions and communities we serve. We can celebrate our roles in driving economic prosperity while also identifying gaps we inadvertently...
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Graduating high school students across the nation are faced with deciding whether to continue their education or enter the workforce. Many seek higher education in order to improve career opportunities and gain economic prosperity and social mobility (Blackwell & Pinder, 2014). The College Board claims that the average annual income for individuals who have a baccalaureate degree is $53,976. The unemployment rate among these graduates is 4.7 percent, which is lower than the U.S. unemployment rate of 6.7 percent (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014). While these statistics look promising, the...
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Students of color, males in particular, face significant challenges in higher education. African American male students, on average, are less successful than other racial/ethnic groups, including African American women. Compared to Asian/Pacific Islander or White/Non-Hispanic students, they are less likely to succeed in both developmental and college-level coursework and are more likely to drop out. Latino students are the least likely of all racial/ethnic groups to transfer. African American students and Latino males have the lowest persistence rates (Elgin Community College, 2010).
Students...
May
2026
Agriculture remains the backbone of California’s economy, contributing over $50 billion annually and employing millions (California Department of Food and Agriculture, 2020). But as the industry evolves through rapid technological change, the need for a highly skilled workforce has never been more urgent.
California’s Central Valley, a global agricultural powerhouse, faces persistent workforce shortages. Many farm laborers and processing plant workers lack formal training, which limits their career advancement opportunities. To address this gap, Merced College launched the Agricultural...
North Seattle College’s Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Early Childhood Education (ECE) program is both an academic pathway and a strategic workforce development initiative designed to meet the needs of Washington State’s increasingly diverse early learning sector. The program prepares culturally responsive educators who can lead classrooms, support family engagement, and contribute to equitable early childhood systems. Graduates report expanded employment opportunities, increased readiness for leadership roles, and greater confidence in advocating for culturally responsive practice in...
Santa Fe College (SF) is currently celebrating 60 years of providing essential liberal arts education, university preparation, career and technical education, and a ticket to upward mobility for students in nearby counties. With a $425.8 million impact on the regional economy in fiscal year 2024 (Lightcast, 2025), the college is strategically poised to have even greater reach by (1) finding innovative ways to meet students from all backgrounds where they are, academically or geographically, and (2) using novel methods to accelerate their success and prepare them to satisfy Florida's high...
