Workforce Development


The new academic imperative: Why workforce is the work

The core responsibility of community colleges is to remain responsive to the evolving needs of the communities they serve, as outlined in the institutional mission. This charge is not abstract. This responsibility calls on educators…



Shifting focus to post-completion outcomes

SEATTLE — Over the last 15 years, colleges have shifted from a focus on access to one on student success — primarily credential completion. Now, colleges need to focus on a different success metric: post-completion…



A deep dive into poverty

SEATTLE — “Community colleges are this country’s poverty abolitionists.” DeRionne Pollard, the new president and CEO of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), said she would like to see that on a T-shirt. That’s…


Metallica foundation adds $10M to workforce initiative

SEATTLE — The foundation of the rock band Metallica plans to invest $10 million over the next three years in its successful workforce development initiative, which has supported 13,000 community college students since it started…


DOL comes to listen

SEATTLE — U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) officials came to the annual conference of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) this weekend mainly to listen, with a particular interest in learning about innovations and…


Observations about the House’s WIOA bill

Timing is everything. Never has the A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026 been more relevant to community colleges. We are at the epicenter, straddling access and career success, which is both the promise…


Roll call on community college research

The Council for the Study of Community Colleges — an affiliated council of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) — just hosted its 67th annual conference. Top of mind for researchers and leaders in…