Role of Community College

Community colleges play a critical role in workforce development across the nation. They have a broad mission to provide academic programming and skills training to prepare students for jobs or to transfer to four-year colleges and universities. In order to access and make effective use of community colleges’ training resources, many workers, particularly those with low-incomes and family responsibilities, need services and supports that go beyond what a college typically provides.

WSI’s research explores innovation by community colleges, and in particular, approaches to partnering with community-based organizations that support the success of low-income students. This includes approaches to improving access, persistence and academic progress and strategies that more effectively link training to work opportunities and employment.