CCRC in the News
Undergraduate Enrollment Picks Up Steam
Enrollment rose across regions and degree types this spring, especially at vocationally-focused community colleges. John Fink explained this trend is related to shifting public perception of the value of higher education.
To Support Underserved Students, Four-Year Universities Offer Two-Year Associate Degrees
Davis Jenkins said that this model could benefit students and build a bridge into college by leveraging the strength and prestige of participating colleges.
Transfer Students Need Support from Both Two and Four Year Institutions
In an interview with Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, Tatiana Velasco discussed two recent transfer reports that illuminate a need for greater four-year institution accountability. Velasco also called on states to prioritize transfer student success and statewide pathway alignment.
Free Community College Programs Increase Enrollment—and Strain Staff
John Fink discussed free community college offerings in Massachusetts and Maine with Carrie Jung in an episode of Marketplace.
Survey Finds Community College Students Need Better Career Preparation
A Center for Community College Student Engagement survey found many community college students lack information about how in-demand their fields are, what skills those jobs require and how much they’d earn.
New Data Reveals Few Community College Transfers Complete a Bachelor’s Degree
John Fink told The 74 that we see smaller transfer completion rates for Black, Latino, and low-income students because the transfer system is riddled with barriers.
The Wild West of Dual Enrollment: Its Growth, Benefits, and Drawbacks
John Fink spoke to the hosts of the Future U. podcast about dual enrollment, specifically the financial incentives for districts and colleges, concerns around course quality and rigor, and implications for high school and college experiences.
Community Colleges Increase Housing Options
Campus housing could have a discernable impact on retention and graduation, Serena Klempin told Diverse: Issues in Higher Education.
Poor Mental Health Among Community College Students Linked to Lower Persistence Rates
A CCRC working paper studying two-year students’ habits has linked mental health-related issues, such as anxiety and depression, to worse persistence rates and credit accumulation.
Report: Mental Health Impacts Community College Persistence
A working paper from Sade Bonilla and Veronica Minaya identifies key themes in the challenges learners at two-year institutions face and how it impacts their enrollment and degree progression in the first year.