AI literacy through AI bots in the classroom
In October, a terrified mother called the police to help her daughter in Fountain, Colorado. With her panic surging and fearing for her daughter’s life, she did her utmost to get help until she could…
commentary
How community colleges can ensure their messaging stands out in the crowd
The new academic year is right around the corner. Enrollment is teetering, and the pressure is on to make a big splash. Marketing teams hunker down with the enrollment office, and they develop a master…
Leadership as a landscape
This past August marked 38 continuous years of my connection with the Contra Costa Community College District. I have served in nearly every capacity – from college student and student employee to part-time hourly staff…
Washington Watch: Update on new IPEDS survey requirements
The U.S. Education Department’s new IPEDS admissions survey will exclude most two-year colleges, but it’s unclear if community colleges that offer bachelor’s degrees would remain on the hook for new reporting requirements. The Education Department…
From Work Colleges to workforce campuses
With the fourth quarter of 2025 underway and the new year fast approaching, America’s community colleges are preparing for mid-academic-year reviews that will prove critical amid an evolving political and economic landscape. One intertwined political…
Why community colleges can’t sit this one out
It is no secret that the past year has presented challenges for higher education at the federal level. Colleges have had to deal with a slew of executive orders, cuts or freezes to key grant…
Reawakening the civic mission of community
Community colleges were founded on the conviction that higher education should serve as a public good — open, inclusive and responsive to the needs of all citizens. Emerging from the democratic ideals of access, equity…
A Marine’s new mission: Building military pathways for today’s students
As Veterans Day approaches, we pause to honor the men and women who have served our nation with courage and commitment. But for many veterans, the spirit of service doesn’t end with their military careers….
You’ve won the lottery jackpot! Now what?
Dear winner of the Mega Millions lottery jackpot: Congratulations, and WOW! After the longest streak without a jackpot winner since the game began in 2002, with a haul of $843 million, even after federal and…
Washington Watch: Rulemaking panel in sync on loan changes
The U.S. Education Department (ED) on Thursday wrapped up its second and final negotiated-rulemaking meeting focused on student loan programs to address changes directed by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Despite significant debate around…