Members
The Bellwether College Consortium is comprised of innovative, award-winning community colleges that earn the distinction of being named a Bellwether Finalist.
Past Members
2025 Winners
Fletcher Technical Community College - LA (PGF)
Fletcher's Scorecard: Enhancing Accountability, Productivity, and Student Success (PGF - Bellwether Award Winner)
Fletcher Technical Community College’s Scorecard aligns quarterly goals with strategic priorities to enhance student retention, credential attainment, and workforce readiness. Weekly huddles track progress using color-coded indicators, improving processes, collaboration, and productivity while generating increased revenue as a result of enrollment growth and success.
Madisonville Community College - KY (WD)
From Coal to Careers: The Lisman Workforce Complex (WD - Bellwether Award Winner)
The Lisman Workforce Complex addresses economic challenges in western Kentucky by providing training in high-demand fields. Through strategic partnerships, the facility repurposes a former coal site, offering programs like CDL, diesel mechanics, and lineman training, fostering career pathways, and supporting workforce development in a distressed economic region.
Forsyth Technical Community College - NC (IPS)
College Lift at Forsyth Tech (IPS - Bellwether Award Winner)
Forsyth Tech's College Lift program transforms the future of low-income, first-generation students by providing a structured seven-year pipeline of academic and social support beginning in sixth grade. The program fosters equitable economic mobility through Saturday Academies, family empowerment, and strong partnerships and redefines postsecondary success for underserved communities.
Mid-State Technical College - WI (PGF)
Work the Plan: A Scalable Grassroots Campaign to Raise Millions (PGF - Best In Showcase Winner)
In July 2024 Mid-State Technical College opened its Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering Technology, and Apprenticeship Center, a state-of-the-art training destination to cultivate Wisconsin’s next-generation workforce. This program details the College’s successful five-year grassroots capital campaign to raise $23M through public-private partnership and without the help of consultants or pursuing a referendum.
Del Mar College - TX (WD)
Partnering for Student Success in a Talent Strong Texas Workforce (WD - Best In Showcase Winner)
In the Coastal Bend region of Texas, 49% of the population possess a high school diploma or less and over 22% possess some college but no degree. According to Commit, by the year 2030, 62% of jobs in Texas will require at least a post-secondary education or specific workforce credentials. What can be done to increase the attainment levels of post-secondary degrees and workforce credentials among individuals residing in the Coastal Bend? This was the guiding question that led to the development of an innovative strategy to provide educational access, guidance, and support to all individuals that seek a college education, thus allowing them to become work ready - one stackable credential at a time.
Blinn College District - TX (IPS)
Building Comprehensive Quality Assurance into Online Teaching and Learning (IPS - Best In Showcase Winner)
Sixty percent of community college students enroll in online courses, making high-quality learning environments critical to their success. Blinn College’s holistic online quality assurance program ensures.
• Well-designed and delivered courses
• Well-trained faculty
• Well-equipped students
A rigorous course review process, faculty and student training, and ongoing support contribute to improved outcomes.
2025 Members
Antelope Valley College - CA (WD)
Revolutionizing Career Advancement Through Community College Baccalaureate Degrees at AVC
Building upon long-term industry partnerships in aerospace and healthcare, Antelope Valley College continues to develop affordable opportunities for students to access local high-wage, high-demand jobs. The recent addition of two baccalaureate degree programs in Airframe Manufacturing Technology and Respiratory Care has expanded AVC’s ability to meet regional workforce needs.
Blue Ridge Community College - NC (IPS)
Apprenticeships: Bridging the Gap for America's Workforce Future
Since 2019, Apprenticeship Blue Ridge has redefined workforce development in Western North Carolina by offering debt-free education across 14 pathways, with over 60 participating employers. With a 90% retention rate, it equips apprentices for industry demands, while strategic partnerships and innovative approaches ensure its continued expansion and success.
Catawba Valley Community College - NC (IPS)
Statewide Professional Learning for Faculty and Student Success
The North Carolina Student Success Center and the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research at NC State developed the North Carolina Teaching & Learning Hubs (East, West, Central, and Piedmont) to support North Carolina’s 58 community colleges through sustainable, scalable professional learning opportunities for faculty.
Chattanooga State Community College - TN (WD)
Building Careers for Life
The Construction Career Center (CCC) addresses Tennessee's critical construction workforce shortage by providing training opportunities for individuals of all ages. With a significant portion of the workforce nearing retirement, the CCC is essential in cultivating skilled professionals, ensuring economic growth and successful careers in construction.
Cleveland Community College - NC (WD)
Fire Academy Ignites Futures with Short-Term Training for NC Firefighters
Cleveland Community College’s Firefighter Academy began in 2009 and provides prospective firefighters an efficient path to obtain three industry-accredited certifications and hands-on training through a 10-week intensive experience. This premiere program is offered three times annually and boasts 511 graduates. Its rigor and structure make it highly desirable to employers.
Community College of Baltimore County - MD (WD)
Changing Lives: Holistic Workforce Training for Out of School Youth
CCBC’s Learn Earn Achieve Progress (LEAP) Program provides holistic training and support services to youth (18 to 24) with educational and employment barriers. Students complete academic, job readiness, and technical coursework leading to credentials. Since 2019, LEAP has served over 500 students with 90% job placement and 71% credential rates.
Delgado Community College - LA (WD)
Expanding Access to Healthcare: DCC's Successful Radiography Program Expansion
DCC expanded its Radiography program addressing a regional shortage of technologists. By doubling cohort sizes, securing new clinical sites, and increasing faculty, achieving a 125% growth in enrollment over five years. The program maintained high graduation/ credentialing rates. Key factors to success included faculty dedication, administrative support, and student engagement.
Elgin Community College - IL (IPS)
Meeting a Community Need: A Center for Civic Engagement
With persistent polarization surrounding US elections, how can colleges ensure that young Americans remain interested in and committed to our shared democratic traditions? Elgin Community College’s Center for Civic Engagement addresses this need by rekindling student interest in American democracy. Officially launched in fall 2023, the Center pledges to: “foster the skills and experiences students need to be thoughtful and engaged civic leaders on campus, in their communities, and in our democracy.” It fulfills its mission through programming carefully designed to champion inquiry, strengthen self-advocacy, and promote student leadership.
Illinois Central College - IL (WD)
From Poverty to Good Jobs: Delivering Equitable Student Outcomes
Illinois Central College collaborated with legislators and the community college board to secure $112 million over six years to implement workforce training programs serving over 15,000 students of poverty (72% African American). The Workforce Equity Initiative is driving successful outcomes and providing good jobs for underrepresented individuals in Illinois.
Illinois Central College - IL (IPS)
Successful Partnership: A Federal Correctional Institution and a Community College
Illinois Central College (ICC), the Federal Correctional Institute (FCI) in Pekin, and the U.S. Department of Education (ED) are partnering to offer a new prison education program (PEP) for incarcerated individuals. This program will provide students who are incarcerated the opportunity to use Federal Pell Grants to access postsecondary education.
Isothermal Community College - NC (IPS)
Be Great in 8
Isothermal Community College's "Be Great in 8" initiative targeted low retention, poor gateway course completion, and low credential rates, especially among underserved students. Implemented over two years, the program increased enrollment, course success, and FTE while reducing withdrawal rates. High student satisfaction and equity-focused outcomes highlight its success and scalability.
Lone Star College - Online - TX (PGF)
Enhancing Online Student Success through Comprehensive Wrap-Around Services
To support Online students, LSC-Online has implemented wrap-around support services to address the challenges faced by online students, which is crucial in today's educational landscape. With the increasing prevalence of online education, understanding and addressing the diverse needs of online learners is paramount for promoting student success and engagement.
Long Beach City College - CA (IPS)
On-Campus Afterschool/Summer Program and Student-Parent Supports at LBCC
In fall 2022, Long Beach City College launched an on-campus, no-cost afterschool program for student parents, in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Long Beach and Long Beach Unified School District. Since then, it has grown to include a summer program, serving students, employees, and community members year-round.
Madisonville Community College - KY (IPS)
Bridging Gaps in Skilled Trades: MCC’s Credential Lattice and Workforce Initiative
Madisonville Community College's Skilled Trades Expansion Initiative addresses workforce shortages in HVAC and electrical technology. By integrating credential pathways, expanding program capacity, and fostering industry partnerships, MCC improves employability, access, and career mobility for underserved populations, supporting regional economic growth in western Kentucky.
Marion Technical College - OH (PGF)
Advancing Grant Opportunities at a Rural Community College Through Partnerships
The partnership between Marion Technical College and Columbus State Community College has transformed MTC's grant funding from under $500,000 to over $3.6 million. This collaboration leverages each institution's strengths, enhancing funding access and serving as a model for rural-urban partnerships in higher education.
Motlow State Community College - TN (WD)
Combatting EMS Shortages through Education, Technology, and Personalization
This presentation explores strategies to improve the availability of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel amid the healthcare worker shortage. Key approaches include enhanced recruitment, retention efforts, expanded training programs, and leveraging technology to streamline operations. Emphasis is placed on sustainable solutions to support EMS workforce growth and meet increasing demand.
Ocean County College - NJ (PGF)
Turning the Tide: Ocean County College Sets Sail with a New Retention Model
Even before COVID-19, Ocean County College was facing declining retention rates. The college implemented a retention model utilizing four full-time coaches to communicate proactively with the entire student body. This approach led to increased persistence and retention numbers and valuable student insight into student needs.
Reading Area Community College - PA (PGF)
Driving Enrollment: Bringing the College Registration Process into the High Schools
The Admissions team at Reading Area Community College (RACC) has brought the college’s placement test and course registration process directly into local high schools, creating a seamless enrollment experience where students can enroll without having to come to campus.
South Suburban College - IL (PGF)
Reflect, Regroup, Recalibrate, & Reveal: The South Suburban College Outcomes Assessment Framework
The Outcomes Assessment framework provides a structured approach to fostering student success. By integrating systematic assessment methods into the curriculum, faculty can continually refine their teaching, improve outcomes, and enhance the overall educational experience. The Framework serves as a guide and resource, focusing on a transparent, data-driven mindset, to promote student achievement and institutional accountability.
Southwestern Community College - NC (IPS)
An Innovative Partnership to Address Regional Workforce Training Needs
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino is continuously recruiting and hiring individuals as live table games dealers who have no table gaming skills or knowledge. Southwestern Community College, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and Harrah’s partner to address the problem of training employees quickly and efficiently to meet regional workforce needs.
Stanly Community College - NC (PGF)
Unlocking Potential through Professional Advising and Instructional Innovation
For decades, Stanly Community College (SCC) relied on a faculty-driven advising model. Changing student needs coupled with growing demands on faculty revealed the advising model needed to change. SCC made a holistic shift from faculty-driven advising to a professional advising model, resulting in dramatic increases in student success metrics.
Tidewater Community College - VA (WD)
Skilled Trades Academy: From Here, Go Anywhere!
The Skilled Trades Academy (STA) at Tidewater Community College addresses economic mobility and workforce gaps in Portsmouth, VA, and the Hampton Roads region. Offering specialized training in high-demand trades, STA has expanded since 2017, benefiting the community and industry. The program's success is evident in completion rates and employment outcomes.
Victor Valley College - CA (PGF)
Revolutionizing Student Support: How Connect2Success Can Transform Your College!
The Connect2Success Center at Victor Valley College, a pioneering call center in the California Community Colleges has revolutionized student support. This presentation will inform and provide attendees with actionable steps for implementing a call center. The center has answered over 118,000 calls while maintaining an 85% caller satisfaction rate!
Yavapai College - AZ (PGF)
Together We Lead: The All-College Council Blueprint
The All-College Council at Yavapai College was created to address gaps in shared decision-making, communication, and stakeholder engagement. Through a phased development process, this participatory governance model has successfully enhanced decision-making efficiency, inclusivity, and overall college culture, leading to improved communication, governance, and statewide recognition for excellence in the workplace.
2024 Winners
Lakeshore Technical College - WI (PGF)
Hiring, Onboarding Investments are Critical to Success (PGF Bellwether Award Winner)
Recognizing the importance of the college investment to acquire new talent and the significant investment of the applicants in seeking new employment, Lakeshore initiated in 2020 a review of the employee hiring and onboarding process with the objective to create a positive and enduring impact.
St. Louis Community College - MO (WD)
Show-Me Synergy: Growing the Healthcare Workforce in St. Louis (WD Bellwether Award Winner)
St. Louis Community College implemented a multi-year strategic plan to assist in meeting the ongoing healthcare workforce needs in our region. The success of this program has led to increases in student enrollments, additional resources for the College, and has strengthened our relationship with our clinical partners.
Reading Area Community College (RACC) - PA (IPS)
Nurturing Growth in the Teacher Pipeline: A Transformative Success Pathway (IPS Bellwether Award Winner)
"Nurturing Growth in the Teacher Pipeline" presents a replicable, equitable solution to the critical shortage of early educators. By utilizing Universal Design for Learning and restructuring the pathway into stackable credentials, with acceleration options and strong student supports, Reading Area Community College's innovative ECE/Teacher Education Pathway increases enrollment and completion.
Gaston College - NC (WD)
Gaston College and CaroMont Health Partnership: Meeting Critical Healthcare Needs (WD Best in Showcase Winner)
Gaston College partnered with CaroMont Health to address healthcare staffing shortages through apprenticeship, new programs, dual-enrollment opportunities, scholarships, and expansion of simulation. To date, over 600 diverse students have been enrolled and well-supported in Gaston College programs resulting from the partnership with CaroMont, leading to student retention and completion gains.
Northeast Texas Community College - TX (PGF)
Work4College Program at NTCC - Work. Serve. Learn. Earn. (PGF Best in Showcase Winner)
The Work4College Program at Northeast Texas Community College empowers students to earn while they learn, bridging the gap between education and real-world experience. It provides access to both on campus and off campus job opportunities, allowing students to not only fund their college education, but also cultivate essential career skills.
Leeward Community College - HI (IPS)
Kawaimanomano - “The Many Waters” (IPS Best in Showcase Winner)
Kawaimanomano is the college’s first Native Hawaiian professional development program. This semester-long opportunity supports employees in the indigenization of the college as they integrate Native Hawaiian culture, values, history, and language into their work. This knowledge creates a purposeful sense of pride and belonging in our employees and students.
2024 Members
Allan Hancock College - CA (IPS)
Changing the Odds - Culturally Responsive Curriculum
Historically, college curriculum has been largely Eurocentric. Allan Hancock College serves a majority Hispanic (67%) student population, and its faculty aimed to address this disparity for traditionally underserved populations. A curriculum assessment tool and professional development series was developed to assist faculty in transforming curriculum to become more culturally responsive.
Bellingham Technical College - WA (PGF)
Feeding Knowledge, the Economy, and the Planet
Since 2018, Bellingham Technical College has worked with tribal and state partners to expand its salmon hatchery production to meet demand for skilled fisheries and aquaculture workers. With updated curriculum and partnerships, the new college program releases 500,000 Chinook salmon annually, supporting tribal, recreational, and commercial fisheries, and endangered orcas.
Central Community College - NE (WD)
Hands-on Independent Mechatronics Education Curriculum
The goal of the program is to increase the number of Mechatronics and Instrumentation control technicians and engineers to meet workforce demands by enhancing and expanding a high-quality, low-cost distance education model to create a new pathway to Mechatronics programs in partnership with dedicated rural high schools and industry partners.
Cerritos College - CA (IPS)
It Takes a Village: Supporting Student Housing and Basic Needs
The Falcon’s Nest serves its mission to provide centralized support services for students facing basic need insecurities through on- and off-campus resources, community collaboration, and advocacy that ensures educational success. The primary goal of the Falcon's Nest housing programs are to ensure unhoused students are linked to stable housing and housing insecure students are provided stability to prevent them from losing their housing.
Cleveland Community College - NC (WD)
Electrical Lineworker Academy Shines Light on Promising Career
CCC’s Electrical Lineworker Academy equips graduates to maintain a reliable power grid, ensuring uninterrupted essential services to the economy. Established in 2017, the program provides a short-term (10-week) training academy and has nearly a 100% placement rate, resulting in 426 students receiving employment offers, often before they complete the program.
Columbia Basin College - WA (IPS)
Transforming Math Education for Equitable Student Success
Columbia Basin College successfully revamped the developmental math sequence, placement procedures, and introduced intrusive advising, leading to substantial improvements in students successfully completing college level math. This proposal outlines the key components of the program, its implementation process, performance indicators, and lessons learned, with a focus on scalability and equity.
Del Mar College - TX (WD)
Building Our Nation's Workforce One Stackable Credential at a Time
Del Mar College developed a Continuing Education (CE) to Credit stackable process that provides all students, regardless of educational level, a postsecondary education and workforce credentials to become work ready. Students earn a CE Workforce Skills Award that can be matriculated into an aligned credit program of study.
Fletcher Technical Community College - LA (PGF)
8 is All it Takes: Rethinking the Traditional Semester
In Fall 2022, Fletcher Technical Community College shifted course offerings to an eight-week model, allowing students the opportunity to complete a class in less time, focus on less material at a time, and improve momentum and completion. The college has seen proven success rates with this model.
Hudson County Community College - NJ (PGF)
A Framework for Scalable Best Practices
HCCC is nationally recognized for best practices. With Board, executive, and college-wide support, HCCC transformed its institutional framework, programs, and services by galvanizing community engagement through transparency, community partnerships, and strategic professional development.
Hudson County Community College - NJ (IPS)
A Transformational Learning Pathway Model for Justice-Involved Students
Creating pathways for incarcerated, reentry, and court-involved citizens to obtain a degree or industry-recognized credential is essential to the equity work of a community college and the welfare of our community and nation. Hudson County Community College created a transformational and scalable program for currently and previously incarcerated citizens.
Grand Rapids Community College - MI (WD)
Medical Apprenticeships - Learning While Earning in Healthcare
Grand Rapids Community College, with our employer partners, has created four healthcare apprenticeship programs to meet employer needs. These apprenticeships have moved individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and underrepresented communities into careers in healthcare. Two of the four programs were the first healthcare apprenticeships registered by USDOL in the U.S.
Lone Star College - TX (PGF)
Reimagining Online Student Success Through LSC-Online
LSC-Online launched in Fall 2022, combining the divisions of instructional technology and online student services with forty selected faculty. With the common goal to increase student access, success, and completion, LSC-Online sought to re-imagine what online teaching and learning could look like if we were proactive and interconnected.
Nashua Community College - NH (WD)
Microelectronics Boot Camp Investing in a Brighter Future
Since its inception in 2016, our Microelectronics Boot Camp has proudly served 314 graduates, with the majority of them hailing from an underserved population, including 75 individuals who were homeless. We firmly believe that our Microelectronics Boot Camp exemplifies the essence of our workforce development. The boot camp is a 10-week comprehensive non-credit program that not only equips individuals with the essential skills for a burgeoning industry but also addresses critical societal challenges by serving those from disadvantaged backgrounds. This program boasts an impressive 95% employment rate for its graduates, underlining its remarkable success in facilitating social mobility and economic opportunity.
Norco College - CA (PGF)
Holistic Student Supports - A Foundation for Equity in Guided Pathways
Norco College implemented a holistic student support process based on Achieving the Dream’s Holistic Student Supports Redesign toolkit. Utilizing existing technology and personnel, a successful program was launched at scale for all incoming students, leading to customized support plans for each student and improved student services throughout the campus.
North Florida College - FL (IPS)
Mentoring: Low-Cost Initiative with Immediate Results
North Florida College (NFC) recognized a need to support underperforming subgroups within its student body to achieve equitable outcomes. College leadership formed the iCARE Mentoring Program and gained remarkable improvements in at-risk subgroups without placing limitations on participation and simultaneously engaging over 30% of faculty and staff.
Northwest Mississippi Community College - MS (IPS)
Non-Profit and Community College Partnership in Rural Technology Education
Basecamp Coding Academy is a partnership between a non-profit organization, Basecamp, located in the small town of Water Valley, MS, and Northwest Mississippi Community College. The purpose of the partnership is to provide credit coding instruction to students in a rural community who may not otherwise attend college.
Pima Community College - AZ (IPS)
Advancing Apprenticeship: Pima Community College’s Innovative Approach to Academic Expansion
In conjunction with certificates and degrees, apprenticeships are a critical component of Pima Community College programs. These opportunities can help bridge the gap between 21st-Century skills and middle- and high-skill jobs and serve varied populations. Earn-and-learn models allow participants to gain viable skills while earning income and reducing debt.
Southside Virginia Community College - VA (WD)
Industry Collaboration for Workforce Development: SVCC's Power Line Worker Program
In response to workforce needs, Southside Virginia Community College created the first Power Line Worker program in the Commonwealth. Since its inception, the program has produced 524 graduates, serving as an example of how collaboration between a community college, state agencies, and employers can positively impact the workforce.
Stanly Community College - NC (PGF)
Unlocking Potential through Professional Advising and Instructional Innovation
For decades, Stanly Community College (SCC) relied on a faculty-driven advising model. Changing student needs coupled with growing demands on faculty revealed the advising model needed to change. SCC made a holistic shift from faculty-driven advising to a professional advising model, resulting in dramatic increases in student success metrics.
San Antonio College - TX (WD)
The San Antonio College Architecture/Engineering Job Shadow Day
Since 2014, 600+ architecture and engineering students have enjoyed the San Antonio College Architecture/Engineering Job Shadow Day. Students learn about projects, discuss career aspirations, and tour one of the firm’s construction job sites. At a luncheon, students reflect on their experience and share their insights with 100+ luncheon attendees.
Southwest Tennessee Community College - TN (PGF)
Seamless Pathways: Reimagining Workforce Entry
Southwest Tennessee Community College recently received a Reimagining Community College Experience grant to improve student success through increased career exploration, career advising, and workforce certification during the first year. The College’s Southwest Workforce Solutions Center creates seamless pathways between credit and noncredit, better equipping students for workforce entry.
Ventura College - CA (IPS)
The Ventura College Basic Needs Center Fosters Increased Student Success
Ventura College provided more than 29,500 basic needs service contacts in 2022-2023 to support underrepresented students’ academic persistence/success (e.g., increased units taken). Basic Needs Center services include food pantry/basic essentials, food benefits/housing assistance, social services, mental health referrals, shower services, transportation assistance, emergency grants, and a second Basic Needs Center.
Western Dakota Technical College - SD (PGF)
Meeting the Need – Centralizing Coordination of Scholarship Program
The Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC) Scholarships Office is the coordination center for scholarship development, application, and awarding. Working with donors to streamline all WDTC Foundation scholarships into a universal application has led to increased scholarship applications and additional scholarship opportunities for students.
Yavapai College - AZ (WD)
Redefining Resilience: A Pathway To Economic Empowerment
As economic and workforce development remains a top priority for community colleges, Yavapai College developed a scalable, innovative service model which identifies prospective entrepreneurs, helps new businesses start, and supports existing small businesses with a goal of upskilling workforce, retaining and creating jobs, and increasing business investment.
2023 Winners
Atlanta Technical College - GA (WD)
Bellwether Award Recipient
The Atlanta Technical College Center for Workforce Innovation
The Atlanta Technical College Center for Workforce Innovation (CWI) was born out of a need to address concerns related to disparities in sustainable career and economic mobility opportunities for Atlanta’s most overlooked communities. Data from a regional study in 2018 reveal that individuals born into poverty in certain Atlanta zip codes have only a 4 percent chance of elevating their economic position throughout their entire lifetime. The Mayor and the CEOs of the city’s leading corporations realized that the city and the region cannot thrive while a significant portion of the population struggles.
Hudson County Community College - NJ (IPS)
Bellwether Award Recipient
Hudson Scholars
Hudson Scholars, an innovative student support model, focuses on retention and improving student outcomes by scaling successful elements of acclaimed national best-practice models, providing proactive, high-touch advisement, financial support, and early academic intervention. Increased revenue from improved retention has more than covered the program's current operating costs and is likely to result in long-term sustainability and scaling to all students.
Alamo Colleges District - TX (PGF)
Bellwether Award Recipient
Fulfilling the Higher Education Promise through Off-Campus Work-Study Employment
Alamo Colleges, appreciating the implied promise of higher education, to provide a stable and rewarding career, prepares first-generation students for post-graduation job market success. Alamo offers work-study eligible students off-campus career-relevant employment through federal financial aid funding. Students are employed by non-profit organizations, governmental agencies or private-sector employers. Wages are paid by federal work-study funds, or if a student is employed by a private business, the employer pays a portion of the wages. Students receive assistance in job selection, resume and cover letter writing, and navigating the human resources process as well as attending professional development sessions through the Office of Workplace Learning.
Sinclair Community College - OH (PGF)
Best in Showcase Recipient
Equity and Inclusion for All Across the Classroom, Campus, and Community
Sinclair Community College’s focused Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategy towards building a more equitable campus through an Emphasis on Equity and Inclusion, the Curb-Cut Effect, and Success Benchmarking in the Classroom resulted in significant gains made for all learners from classroom to community through innovative programs, intentional services, and inspiring leadership.
South Piedmont Community College - NC (IPS)
Best in Showcase Recipient
South Piedmont’s Learning Reimagined: Increasing access, removing barriers, and providing flexibility to meet diverse needs of community college students
Community College students face barriers related to work, finances, friends/family, and online classes. South Piedmont Community College (SPCC) addressed the top four barriers facing students through Learning Reimagined, a comprehensive curriculum redevelopment that included migration to a new learning management system, adoption of digital resources and curation of significant open educational resources (OER), and introduction/scale-up of hybridflexible (Hyflex) instruction. Through Learning Reimagined, SPCC both increases access/removes barriers for students and provides learners with customizable, flexible learning designed to meet the needs of diverse community college populations.
Atlanta Technical College - GA (WD)
Best in Showcase Recipient
The Atlanta Technical College Center for Workforce Innovation
The Atlanta Technical College Center for Workforce Innovation (CWI) was born out of a need to address concerns related to disparities in sustainable career and economic mobility opportunities for Atlanta’s most overlooked communities. Data from a regional study in 2018 reveal that individuals born into poverty in certain Atlanta zip codes have only a 4 percent chance of elevating their economic position throughout their entire lifetime. The Mayor and the CEOs of the city’s leading corporations realized that the city and the region cannot thrive while a significant portion of the population struggles.
2024 Members
Arizona Western College - AZ (WD)
Advanced Manufacturing Program gets boost from Berlin
Arizona Western College was the first college in the country to complete the TBIC College Certification program. Community colleges play an important role in regional workforce development efforts by providing affordable and accessible technical education and training, which can help close the skills gap and provide a pipeline of talent for both existing and prospective employers. The TBIC College Certification program is designed to assess and certify community colleges in their ability to provide top-quality technical training that meets the needs of today's economy. To date, Arizona Western College is the only community college in the United States to have completed the TBIC College Certification program. The program includes an assessment of several relevant parameters, such as the level of cooperation between the college and local industry representatives as well as the technical education and practical training offered to students.
Chattanooga State Community College - TN (IPS)
High School Highway to Advanced Manufacturing: Exit 1-AAS degree; Exit 2 – Career
Facing thousands of unfilled manufacturing jobs, Southeast Tennessee had the profound challenge of recruiting, training, and sustaining a skilled workforce. Chattanooga State CC and Hamilton County Schools developed two successful high school programs focusing on in-demand careers. The programs provide college & career pathways via career tech education dual enrollment for students who are underperforming in high school and less likely to attend college.
Blinn College District - TX (PGF)
Beyond the Suggestion Box
Transforming frontline employee knowledge into effective, sustainable innovations is an ongoing challenge for organizations. The FutureWorks Academy brings together faculty and staff from across campuses to identify critical College issues and propose solutions. After a year of collective work, participants make a formal presentation to and seek approval from the College’s executive leadership to develop and diffuse approved projects throughout the College.
South Piedmont Community College - NC (WD)
Filling the pipeline
South Piedmont Community College’s ApprenticeshipIMPACT incentivizes college, community, and employer partnerships to provide classroom and on-the-job training and education to meet industry needs. In partnership with Columbus-McKinnon, one of the area’s employers, South Piedmont (SPCC) developed a flexible, innovative curriculum that allows students to learn and earn, access higher wages, and advance as they learn. Data indicate success for learners and for the talent pipeline at Columbus-McKinnon.
El Paso Community College - TX (IPS)
EPCC’s FYE Program: Supporting Students, Transforming Lives
The First-Year Experience (FYE) Program at El Paso Community College (EPCC) provides transformative holistic advising and wraparound services for first-year students. The program integrates cohort models, peer academic and faculty coaching, ongoing workshops, case management advising, and individualized educational plans. The FYE Program has reformed EPCC’s advising model from a one-size fits all approach to proactive case management.
North Central Texas College - TX (IPS)
Aspire To Be Hired- Employability Skills for Student Success
North Central Texas College’s (NCTC) Aspire to be Hired program focuses on students’ employability and professional skills through embedded instruction in students’ courses and co-curricular activities. Aspire to be Hired addresses skills gaps in awareness and articulation of employability skills and the practical experience of skill application to remove barriers and reduce the skills gap, thus improving students’ long-term employability.
Clark State College - OH (PGF)
Fresh Abilities – A Fresh Take on Food and Service
Clark State College recently partnered with Fresh Abilities, a food service training program of The Abilities Connection (TAC), a nonprofit organization that serves people with disabilities and offers safe, inclusive workplaces to thrive. Through this innovative partnership, Clark State was able to bring a food service provider to campus that fit its needs, and the Fresh Abilities program was able to expand and enhance its training offerings.
Blinn College District - TX (WD)
Blinn College Dental Hygiene Program: "Give Kids A Smile"©
Community collaboration is integral to workforce students’ success as they transition to their profession. Passion for community service can be fostered in our programs and provide invaluable experience for our graduates while developing strong relationships in their community. Blinn College Dental Hygiene has demonstrated success through collaboration and service with Give Kids A Smile©.
Gaston College - NC (WD)
Partnership at It’s Best: Gaston College Partnership with CaroMont to Meet Healthcare Needs
Many issues contribute to the staffing crisis in healthcare, as such Gaston College partnered with CaroMont Health to implement apprenticeships, new programs, dual-enrollment opportunities, scholarships, and expansion of pathways. The partnership also boasts state-of-the-art simulation facilities, new programming for dual-enrollment and adult learners, funding for faculty and equipment, and a sustainable, scalable model for meeting workforce needs.
Hudson County Community College - NJ (PGF)
Building an Inclusive and Engaged Workforce
Employees matter. Engaged employees with diverse perspectives and an inclusive environment are essential to student
success. Hudson County Community College (HCCC) focused recruitment and retention initiatives to underscore diversity,
inclusion, and belonging. The multifaceted program is aligned with HCCC’s culture of care and expands upon programs
enhancing professional development, appreciation, and recognition, and keeping the community connected.
Pima Community College - AZ (PGF)
Addition by Subtraction, Investing in Student Success by Removing Financial Barriers
Pima Community College invested in a leading indicator of persistence and retention, a mandatory student success course. An important enrollment management strategy is to ensure first semester students keep coming back. By mandating a one credit student success course, and eliminating the costs associated with the course (tuition and textbook), the college expected to increase student completions.
Hudson County Community College - NJ (WD)
Gateway to Innovation
HCCC Gateway to Innovation (GTI) program addresses unprecedented, COVID-related systemic challenges in the workforce ecosystem with the goal of achieving lasting improvement. GTI works to: STABILIZE students’ basic supports, enhance financial health; ENGAGE alumni; RECOVER by expanding access to short-term healthcare credentials, attachment to recession resistant work; PROSPER by creating projects aligned with recession resistant industries.
Lakeshore Technical College - WI (PGF)
Grant Strategy Saves Time & Gains Money
With declining revenue and enrollments, Lakeshore looked to grants to generate new revenue. Unfortunately, the existing structure for identifying and pursuing grants at Lakeshore was broken – resulting in limited award success. A new leadership team chose to examine the process closely, finding it to be inefficient and ineffective, much like it is at other community colleges. Lakeshore viewed this problem as an opportunity with the right solution, could improve efficiency and effectiveness. The creation and empowerment of a Grants Council has accomplished both goals.
Lamar State College Port Arthur - TX (PGF)
Gathering partners to impact State & National problems
In 2018, Industry demand for commercial drivers significantly increased the number of CDL applicants in Texas and lengthened the “time to success” for students. LSCPA became a 3rd party provider under DPS to bypass this backlog. “Time to success” dropped significantly for students of the college causing a concomitant rise in students’ success.
Pima Community College - AZ (WD)
Answering the Call: Responding to the Teacher Shortage
There is an unprecedented and increasing K12 teacher shortage in Arizona and nationwide. Reports from schools and districts around the country indicate “gaps that stretch from the hundreds to the thousands.” The Post-Degree Teacher Certification program at Pima Community College innovatively addresses this need and is making a difference in Arizona and could address this need elsewhere.
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College - NC (IPS)
LPN to ADN Completion Option and the Academic-Clinical Partnership
The ongoing nursing shortage has increased the need for academic and clinical partners to collaborate on strategies that will increase the number of students admitted and graduated from schools of nursing. Relationships between academic and clinical partners have always existed, however, a firmer understanding of how each stakeholder can work to achieve the preferred outcomes.
Pima Community College - AZ (IPS)
Enter PimaFastTrack
Like other colleges, Pima Community College (PCC) has been facing steady enrollment declines, accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic. To increase offering relevancy, PCC launched micro-pathway programs to re-engage learners who exited without earning an award, and reach learners who have not considered attending college due to the structural barriers of the traditional model of higher education.
Polk State College - FL (PGF)
Creating a Culture of Quality and Innovation for Online Learning
Polk State College seized an opportunity provided by CARES funding to create a baseline of quality for online course design; a task the College had not yet provisioned. Building an institutional rubric aligned to Florida’s “Quality” designation process, the Quality Matters essential standards, and existing evaluations, the rubric provided the opportunity to create the Quality Online Course Design Seminar.
South Mountain Community College - AZ (IPS)
Ultimate Technology Summer Camp
The South Mountain Community College (SMCC) Ultimate Technology Summer Camp was created to expose underrepresented minority and female students to educational opportunities and careers in science, math, engineering and technology (STEM) - with an emphasis on technology. The goal of the program is to stimulate interest in STEM and increase the number of underrepresented minority and female students enrolling in STEM related courses – in both high school and college.
Reading Area Community College - PA (WD)
Pro-active Community Partnership in Workforce Training
Reading Area Community College’s (RACC) customized training initiative responsively addressed a need by a global agricultural equipment manufacturer for a rapid turn-around training program for newly hired Computer Numerical Control or CNC operators. As a proactive partner, RACC was able to provide training of CNC Machine operators (NIMS Certified), while maintaining integrity, in half the usual time period.
St. Louis Community College - MO (WD)
1,000 Job Placements and Growing!
Boeing and St. Louis Community College’s Boeing Pre-Employment Training Program. A collaborative design and development of a highly needed advanced manufacturing program established to meet area workforce needs. In 2022, Boeing St. Louis and St. Louis Community College celebrated the 1,000th job placement of the Boeing Pre- Employment Training Program. Utilizing State, local, college, company resources, Boeing and STLCC established a program that continues to produce a high number of graduates for St. Louis's Defense and Commercial lines
Walters State Community College - TN (IPS)
Recruiting Hispanics to Achieve
Housed in Academic Affairs, RHiTA systematically and aggressively addressed recruitment, academic support, and campus climate for our growing Hispanic population. 5-year results show that Hispanic student enrollment and success have consistently increased; persistence continues to be one of the two highest in the state of Tennessee and completion gaps have narrowed from 4.7% to 1.5% in the last three cohorts. The program has scaled regionally and demographically.
Tallahassee Community College - FL (WD)
Workforce Connections: Creating Talent at the Speed of Business
First the pandemic and now a worker shortage, but they’re no match for Workforce Connections! Workforce Connections is part of an employer engagement model that reimagines the community college system’s approach to delivering innovative workforce training at the speed of business. It’s the perfect solution for sparking the excitement in your campus community, growing your enrollment among special populations and creating lasting partnerships with industry.
Western Dakota Technical College - SD (PGF)
Moving the Needle: Implementing an Action-Based Strategic Enrollment Management Plan
Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC) will share a behind the scenes look into Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) planning. Learn how the evolution of static planning has become evolving campus wide as departments are collaborating. Meaningful work towards overall Strategic Planning provides results to SEM, without duplicating efforts. WDTC results speak for themselves with increased performance indicators and outcomes.
South Mountain Community College - AZ (IPS)
South Phoenix Oral History Project: Using Oral History to Empower Students and Community
The South Phoenix Oral History Project is a student-founded, student-led initiative to capture and preserve the untold history of our surrounding area. Over 200 students and 100 community members, faculty, and staff contributed to our digital and physical archive, which reclaims and tells the history of South Phoenix, Arizona.
Pima Community College - AZ (WD)
Addressing the Paramedic Shortage through High Quality and Flexible Training at Pima Community College
Pima Community College’s Public Safety and Emergency Services Institute (PSESI) offers a unique, innovative and flexible opportunity for paramedic students to advance their careers while maintaining full time employment. This is accomplished while simultaneously working with prehospital care providers to reduce the nationwide paramedic shortage magnified by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Blinn College District - TX (IPS)
Orienting Students to Success
Educational technology self-efficacy is critical to online student success and persistence; however, many students struggle in mastering ed-tech tools, including learning management systems (LMS). An online orientation, developed and maintained by faculty and front-line staff, ensures that students have the essential skills to utilize the LMS effectively.
South Piedmont Community College - NC (PGF)
Innovative Technology Solutions at South Piedmont Community College: Increasing Staff Efficiency, Campus Safety/Security, and Student Access
South Piedmont Community College (SPCC) experienced problems with staff efficiency, safety and security, and student access. By leveraging a project manager to facilitate and implement cross-campus collaborations on new technologies, SPCC addressed each concern, leading to an integrated technology solution through a new app, Navigate.
Lakeshore Technical College - WI (WD)
College Here & Now: Dual-Enrollment 2.0
College Here & Now® -- entering its third year – provides rural high school students the opportunity to earn a college degree in IT without leaving their school or paying tuition. Discover how our growing number of partnerships is leading to an increase in the number of minority students participating in dual enrollment compared to other dual enrollment opportunities and preparing all dual enrollment students for in-demand careers with local annual earning potential of $52,000.
Western Dakota Technical College - SD (PGF)
Build It and They Will Come – Lessons Learned when Building an Impactful Student Success Center
The Western Dakota Technical College’s Student Success Center (SSC) is “the” go-to place for students needing assistance navigating higher ed processes and accessing resources. Using the cycle of continuous improvement, the SSC has built a robust student support model, resulting in increased student satisfaction, retention, and graduation rates.
Bucks County Community College - PA (IPS)
Creating a Culture of Open at Bucks County Community College
Bucks County Community College (PA) has in place a process for the redesign of courses to include only open educational resources (OER) and other zero-textbook-cost (ZTC) materials. We have saved students nearly two million dollars in textbook costs and are now exploring the potentials for open pedagogy in teaching.
South Piedmont Community College - NC (WD)
South Piedmont’s Road2Wingate: Increasing Educational Attainment and Supporting Workforce in Anson and Union Counties
North Carolina faces a skilled labor shortage and educational attainment gaps. Through a unique partnership, SPCC and Wingate University established a guaranteed admission process, low tuition, and seamless articulation pathways. Collaboration between institutions and education, government, and business/industry partners, provides increased access to flexible, stackable credentials aligned with workforce needs.
Yavapai College - AZ (IPS)
A Promising Start
Yavapai College (YC) desired to increase completion rates and enrollments. Following best practices, YC designed a last dollar Promise scholarship; however, ours is unique. The YC Promise reimburses students for completing a degree on time. This self-funding program increased enrollments while raising 2-year completion rates to twice the national average.
San Diego Mesa College - CA (PGF)
San Diego Mesa College: Integrating Equity & Excellence into Mesa2030 - Our Educational & Facilities Master Plan
The Mesa2030 Educational and Facilities Master Plan was created to integrate San Diego Mesa College’s mission of equity and excellence into each aspect of our educational and facilities master plan.Mesa2030 charts the College’s long-term course toward accomplishing its Mission, which describes the College’s aspirations for student access, equity, and success.
Blinn College District - TX (WD)
Second Chance: Offender Re-Entry Training
Starting in 2002, Blinn College established strategic partnerships with the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Brazos County Detention Center to reduce inmate recidivism rate in our service area. Blinn implemented training programs in trades, business, and healthcare. Collected data demonstrates a significant reduction of recidivism rate among program completers.
San Diego Mesa College - CA (IPS)
The Journey to Completion
San Diego Mesa College (SDMC) embarked on a journey to improve completion in the college’s largest program, Business, and identify the barriers to award success. Through a cross-campus collaboration of instruction, student services, and institutional research, the college increased the number of awards in five years by 11%.
Holyoke Community College - MA (WD)
Jump Start at Holyoke Community College - Sharing the Power to Educate, Empower, and Employ
For 20+ years, Jump Start's purpose has been to educate, empower, and employ. The program has enrolled over 2,000 jobseekers and placed over 70% in employment. Jump Start stabilizes individuals and families through a guided, asset-based approach that encourages completion of goals along a pathway to economic and employment success.
Montgomery College - MD (PGF)
Montgomery College's Participatory Governance Process
Montgomery College’s participatory governance has successfully improved communication and representation of all College stakeholders by providing input and recommendations to the president and senior leadership relating to the institutional decision-making process. The governance process approved by the Board of Trustees, consisting of thirteen councils, is managed by the governance director.
Pima Community College - AZ (PGF)
Pima Community College Workforce Development Transformation
Pima Community College (Pima) successfully transformed the structure and paradigm of workforce development across the institution to meet the needs of employers. In response to feedback from employers that Pima was large and difficult to navigate, Pima created a position to be the primary contact for business and industry.
Tallahassee Community College - FL (WD)
Channeling the Future through Innovation
Recognizing the extraordinary impact Covid-19 had on its regional workforce and community, Tallahassee Community College’s (TCC) Division of Workforce Development, was the first college in the state of Florida to launch a comprehensive community reemployment program, Be Essential. The Be Essential program, made up of 70 workforce in-demand training programs that could be completed in 90-days or less, served as a primary driver for connecting unemployed local residents to a no-wrong door option for getting the skills they needed to secure new employment and on a career path with local industry.
Ventura College - CA (PGF)
Ventura College Re-envisions ESL: A Community-Engagement Approach
To address a significant decline in enrollment in the college’s English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, Ventura College undertook a comprehensive community-engagement process to identify key factors to be addressed to more appropriately meet the ESL needs of the target population – low-income Hispanic residents of western Ventura County.
Howard Community College - MD (PGF)
A Help Desk Transformation
Howard Community College (HCC) successfully transformed its Information Technology Help Desk to the Technology Service Center to address the evolving landscape of IT support. The pandemic challenges accelerated the need for this transformation. As a 2019 Baldrige winner, HCC leveraged the Plan Do Check Action process to accomplish this goal.
Central Arizona College - AZ (WD)
Education at the Speed of Industry
The partnership between Wilson Electric and Central Arizona College, which was developed and deployed in four weeks, enrolls over 50 students annually. With a 93% employment rate, students complete the 18 week program with three industry recognized credentials and enter the workforce at an average salary of $50,000 a year.
El Paso Community College - TX (IPS)
EPCC-CEP: Building Community, Serving the Underserved
EPCC's Community Education Program (EPCC-CEP) excels in serving historically disadvantaged residents with high quality educational and support services at no cost. The CEP instructs students in many areas, such as ESL, literacy, and GED preparation, and implements the College's highly successful High School Equivalency and College Assistance Migrant Programs.
Community College of Baltimore County - MD (IPS)
General Education as a Mechanism to Promote Equitable Access to High Impact Practices
High Impact Practices (HIPs) lead to greater student success, engagement, and retention, particularly for minoritized students. The Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) infused HIPs into highly enrolled General Education courses and achieved significant increases in student success and retention metrics. Achievement gaps were reduced in many HIPs-infused courses.
Allan Hancock College - CA (PGF)
Credit Where Credit’s Due
Each year, hundreds of students at Allan Hancock College earn enough credits to complete their programs but aren’t aware that they qualify to graduate. In response, Hancock developed the “Credit Where Credit’s Due” algorithm to automatically award degrees/certificates to students who are unaware they have enough units to graduate.
Tulsa Community College - OK (IPS)
Earn a Degree, Graduate Early Program Promotes College Mindset in Vulnerable Students
In 2015, the Strategic Plan at Tulsa Community College focused specifically on increasing student recruitment efforts, emphasizing traditionally under-resourced students, and working with local high schools to improve college readiness. As a result, we developed our Earn a Degree, Graduate Early (EDGE) program.
Catawba Valley Community College - NC (WD)
Bringing Education, Business and Government Together to Connect Students of all ages with Viable and Sustainable Careers and Opportunities
K-64 unites education, business, and government to connect all ages with skills needed to build careers by increasing student and employer engagement in education and collaborating with employers to align programming with workforce needs, connecting students to careers and empowering adults to enhance employability in a dynamic work environment.
Ocean County College - NJ (PGF)
Meet Reggie: the AI Chatbot Transforming Ocean County College
Using a behaviorally intelligent chatbot named Reggie, Ocean County College elicits timely, specific, and actionable student data. This real-time information apprises OCC’s proactive measures are addressing individual student needs, adjusting program delivery, and increasing student registration. It also maximizes the efficiency and efficacy of academic and student support staff.
Houston Community College - TX (WD)
Celebrating Entrepreneurship: The Foundation of America’s Economy!
The mission of the Houston Community College's Entrepreneurial Initiatives is to help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses and to bolster the local economy by creating jobs and building Houston’s business ecosystem. HCC has developed signature programs to grow minority, micro, veteran, bilingual and women-owned businesses.
University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana - AR (IPS)
UAHT Collegiate Academy
The Collegiate Academy at the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana is a partnership between the Hope Public School District and the Texarkana Arkansas School District which provides students with the opportunity to graduate high school with their high school diploma and associate degree simultaneously while fully immersed on the college campus.
Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) - SC (IPS)
HGTC Outboard Marine Technology
HGTC offers the only Outboard Marine Technology program between Jacksonville, Florida and Chesapeake, Virginia. Training is coupled with industry credentials as one of only four nationwide to offer all four Yamaha Modules. Yamaha University has recognized it as a national training model. Enrollment has almost doubled, with 100% job placement.
Wayne Community College - NC (WD)
Apprenticeships: An Integrated Academic Cohort Model
Wayne Community College’s (WCC) integrated academic cohort apprenticeship model is an approach to solve workforce development needs by creating opportunities for income mobility and increasing educational attainment of incumbent workers while simultaneously attracting youth to careers where the workforce is aging.
South Mountain Community College - AZ (PGF)
The South Mountain Community College STARS Scholarship Program
The STARS (Students Transformed to Achieve Radiant Success) endowment was established in Fall 1995 to provide scholarships for returning SMCC students and reduce student loans. With the addition of the External STARS Advisory Board in 2015, additional funds have been raised to award scholarships to students regardless of their major.
College of the Canyons
Dismantling Barriers to Support Students: Placement Exams & Developmental Courses (IPS)
College of the Canyons presents their innovative approach to assessment and course sequence re-design in mathematics and English, a seven-year process of cross-functional collaboration culminating in AB705 implementation. The result is a roadmap for dramatically increasing student completion in transfer-level English and mathematics while greatly reducing equity gaps.
Houston Community College
Building Communities Through Entrepreneurship (WD)
The mission of the Office of Entrepreneurial Initiatives at Houston Community College is to bolster the local economy, create jobs, and build Houston’s eco-system by providing robust and comprehensive programs to start and grow small businesses including minority-owned, micro and women-owned businesses; and develop an entrepreneurial pipeline for youth.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
The 8-Week Advantage: Turning Change Into Transformation (PGF)
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is changing its course format from semesters to eight-week terms to boost student success and add flexibility. What sets NWTC’s transition apart, however, is that the College is intentionally using the opportunity to build in new best practices college-wide, improving instruction and services for our students.
Pima Community College
Serving Adult Learners: The Implementation of Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) at Pima Community College (IPS)
With a clearly defined need and vision, Pima Community College implemented Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) to serve adult learners in our community. The development of a task force with engagement from the key stakeholders across the college was imperative to the successful launch of PLA.
Southwest Tennessee Community College
Redesign, Reinvent, and Reset: Organizing for Large Scale Systemic Change (PGF)
In 2016, Southwest initiated a re-organization to modernize and build a structure to optimize student supports to address a seven-year decline in enrollment. The college joined Achieving the Dream-(ATD) and began the transformational process.
Bossier Parish Community College
Mobile Learning Apps at the Convergence of Neuroscience and Deep Game Structure (IPS)
Bossier Parish Community College’s Open Campus Mobile(™) learning apps offer a scalable, technologically innovative solution for supporting under-resourced developmental student populations. The design triangulates neuro-scientific learning applications, gaming features, and smartphone engagement strategies in a first-of-its-kind mobile learning portal, empirically demonstrated to promote student learning.
Broward College
Broward UP (Unlimited Potential) – An Innovative Community-based Workforce Education Model to Holistically Increase Economic and Social Mobility (WD)
Broward College believes there is Unlimited Potential (UP) in our community and have operationalized a movement aimed at changing the narrative on poverty and mobility by creating access to workforce education and good jobs – so that every single resident realizes their unlimited potential.
Pima Community College
Pima Community College and USAF Paramedic Training Partnership Produces Stellar Results (WD)
From 2014-Present, via back-to-back 5-year contracts, the United States Air Force’s (USAF), Air Force Medical Readiness Agency (AFMRA), partnered with Pima Community College (PCC) in Tucson, Arizona to offer a progressive and innovative approach for Paramedic instruction to meet the USAF’s 700 emergency medical services global shortfalls.
South Mountain Community College
Promoting Student-Athlete Voices to Provide a Distinctive Developmental Experience (IPS)
The student-athlete development program was designed to prepare students for more rigorous qualifications and academic progress standards at 4-year institutions. The program stresses academic and personal development in preparing students to compete for future opportunities. Student voices and input have accelerated the student participation and accountability toward desired outcomes.
Blinn College District
RELLIS: The Realization of a Transformational Initiative for Collaborative Educational Partnerships - Promoting Efficiency and Effectiveness (PGF)
Former Commissioner Paredes said, “We are going to have to innovate – to come up with creative ideas about how to address (training) needs and achieve our goals.” The RELLIS Campus is that idea. Through the collaboration of TAMUS regional universities and Blinn College, pathways to industry credentials/certificates/degrees are provided.
Broward College
Avatar Simulation (IPS)
Broward College has implemented innovative methods to help students achieve clinical and practical competence while maintaining the highest educational standards and keeping students, faculty, and staff safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. The programs have found success in providing rich clinical experiences through remote avatar-based simulations to achieve their educational goals.
El Paso Community College
Bridges to Success: Bridges to the Baccalaureate Research Training Program at EPCC-UTEP (PGF)
Hispanic students are more likely to start at a community college, yet only 25% transfer and merely 3% obtain an associate degree. El Paso Community College’s Bridges to the Baccalaureate Research Training Program incorporates high-impact practices, such as research, internships, and learning communities to support transfer and completion.
Oxnard College
Project RECOVER - Revisions Encompassing COVID Operations, Valuing Emergency Responders (WD)
COVID-19 has struck our college system like a lightning bolt and shaken it to its core. In response, Project RECOVER, Revisions Encompassing COVID Operations, Valuing Emergency Responders reimagines the delivery of an engaging and holistic learning experience for public safety students as a model that has been replicated throughout California.
Rogue Community College
SOHOPE at Rogue Community College: Southern Oregon Health Occupations Poverty Elimination Project (WD)
Rogue Community College’s SOHOPE project prepares low-income community members for living wage, high demand healthcare careers. Participants experience ongoing support including barrier mitigation, case-management, counseling, and employability skills training while earning occupational certificates. SOHOPE’s model and integrated employer partnerships meet workforce demand and move participants out of multi-generational poverty.
Collin College
College and Career Counselors Program: Partnerships That Work! (PGF)
Collin College partnered with 34 local high schools to provide College and Career Counselors (CCC). These embedded counselors assist high schools, students, and parents with college readiness preparation and guidance through college application and enrollment. After a tremendous three-year pilot program, those positions have become permanent.
Naugatuck Valley Community College
Interprofessional Simulation Education for Allied Health and Nursing Program (IPS)
This initiative was based on the development and implementation of interprofessional education (IPE) simulation based on 117 Nursing, Radiology Technology, and Respiratory Therapy students. IPE competencies and discipline-specific objectives were included as part of the collaboration. IPE simulation sessions included faculty and students resulting in positive feedback from both.
Pima Community College
Expanding Access and Equity with IBEST and Ability to Benefit (IPS)
PCC has successfully leveraged the evidence-based Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (IBEST) model, in combination with the Ability to Benefit provision of Federal Financial Aid, to expand access and success for Adult Education and Developmental Education learners at PCC.
Polk State College
Leadership Development in Public Administration (WD)
The Leadership Development in Public Administration program was developed in partnership with Polk State College and the City of Winter Haven as the direct result of a deep dive 360 review. This 160-hour program prepares new leaders within the municipality to grow and lead within their departments and the City.
San Jacinto College
Crosswalks Linking Apprenticeship Training and Workforce Courses: Blueprint for a Statewide Model (WD)
Establishing clear links between the steps in a student’s education pathway is key to supporting credential completion, particularly in Career and Technical Education (CTE), where students use a variety of learning modalities to build their careers including secondary and postsecondary classroom instruction, apprenticeships, internships and employment experiences.
Broward College
RAPID - Remote Adaptation and Preparation for Instructional Delivery (PGF)
In response to a global pandemic, Broward College’s Teaching and Learning division strengthened the alignment and services of its units to support the successful and rapid adaptation to a fully remote learning environment for 40,000 students and 5,000 employees.
Pensacola State College
Supporting Faculty in the Transition to Fully Online Classes (PGF)
During spring 2020, most colleges and universities transitioned to fully online courses with little to no lead time. Fortunately, before this transition, PSC had gathered a group of faculty from multiple disciplines with experience teaching synchronous online classes; these faculty provided the critical support their colleagues needed to teach remotely.
Pima Community College
Re-envisioned Online Leadership for Student Success (PGF)
Like many community colleges, Pima’s online program developed ad-hoc over time resulting in less than desirable student outcomes, course quality, and curricular inconsistency. The College decided to reallocate resources and reorganize online learning. The leadership model implemented transformed online teaching, learning, course design, and faculty development improving student success outcomes.
Reading Area Community College
Striving for Excellence in Online Learning through Teacher Engagement (IPS)
In four years, Reading Area Community College (RACC) has transformed online learning through faculty adaptation of Canvas, a learning management system (LMS), resulting in a 94% students’ satisfaction rate with their learning experience in 130+ online courses, 10 fully online programs, and robust Canvas-integrated face-to-face and hybrid courses.
South Mountain Community College
South Mountain Community College’s Construction Trades Institute (WD)
SMCC’s Construction Trades Institute (CTI) focuses on workforce development for the Construction Industry within the Phoenix metropolitan area. The CTI offers Carpentry /Framing, Electrical, and Plumbing trade options. Curriculum is industry-aligned with proactive industry partnerships to ensure real-world experiences and scenarios.
Holyoke Community College
Coming Together: How a Global Pandemic Galvanized a Community and Placed Addressing Students’ Non-academic Barriers Front-and-Center (WD)
HCC strives to be a college of academic excellence known for helping students overcome barriers to their success. This vision took on greater meaning amid the pandemic. Our community came together to increase our capacity to respond to the needs of our students by launching a completely virtual campaign: TogetherHCC.
Madisonville Community College
MCC Accelerate: An Innovative Approach to Meeting the Needs of Adult Students (IPS)
Madisonville Community College, through the MCC Accelerate program, created a pathway for adult students to complete an associate’s degree in one night a week, one class at a time, in two years. Students receive wrap-around support services paired with the benefits of in-person and online learning.
Oxnard College
Oxnard College Dental Hygiene Program, Five P's Model (IPS)
Oxnard College Dental Hygiene Program consistently achieved 100% pass rate on written national boards and clinical licensure examinations for the past 11 years. Additionally, graduates of the program, enjoyed a 100% employment rate. We attribute our Pass and Placement rates to Prerequisites, Performance and Planning (OCDHP Five P’s Model).
Pima Community College
Access and Student Success: HPOG HOPES Employment Best Practices (WD)
The Pima Community College HPOG HOPES Employment team prepares low-income students as they transition from college to the workforce. The goal is that each student that completes healthcare training is prepared with the skills, tools, and resources to make those first connections, interview well and land that important first job.
University of Arkansas Community College at Hope Texarkana
Changing the Bookstore Model for Student Access and Success (PGF)
Universities must retain and build the public’s trust. UAHT rewrote the textbook model to be financially responsible, innovative, efficient, effective, affordable for students, and relevant to today’s educational environment. The UAHT Book Rental Program reshaped the old way of doing things by providing necessary course materials responsibly, earnestly, and conscientiously.
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Rose Martinez, PhD
Director
This distinction is earned by the top ten scoring community colleges in one or more of the three award categories associated with the Bellwether Award competition. This select group of trendsetting colleges is invited to join the consortium and compete for the Bellwether Award at the Community College Futures Assembly. Past winners and finalists are also a part of the Bellwether family.
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