CCRC studies community colleges because they provide critical access to postsecondary education and are uniquely positioned to promote equity and social mobility in the United States. Our mission is to conduct research that helps these institutions strengthen opportunities and improve outcomes for their students, particularly those from underserved populations.
Community colleges have long sought to improve educational outcomes for underserved student groups, but this goal took on new urgency during the summer of 2020, as racialized police brutality spurred global protests and a renewed push for systemic change. Now more than ever, college leaders, educators, and policymakers are looking for resources to help counteract social disparities by race and class.
Several CCRC projects aim to center the experiences of minoritized students and examine whether policies intended to improve outcomes and eliminate racial gaps are effective. We’re currently conducting an exploratory study on English language learners, working to identify racially equitable state funding strategies for community colleges, examining advising practices that meet the needs of Black, Latinx, and low-income students, and partnering with state higher education agencies to improve dual enrollment outcomes for underrepresented high school students. You can also find relevant commentary on our blog with the #equity tag.
CCRC co-leads a research network to explore strategies community colleges can use to bring back students who left during the pandemic, support their learning, and ensure they can succeed in the rapidly evolving economy.
CCRC has been conducting world-class research on community colleges since 1996. Visit our publications library for a complete archive of our work.
Community College Research Center, Teachers College, Columbia University
Box 174 | 525 West 120th Street, New York, NY 10027
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