Trends and Current Issues

The latest report from the American Association of Community Colleges “tells it like it is,” calling the American Dream imperiled and asking two-year colleges nationwide to raise the bar on higher education standards. While the new report does offer some positive feedback on the current condition of community colleges in terms of growth and success, it also provides feedback on where schools are lacking and what can be done to bring these institutions to a place where they can serve students and the business community most effectively. There are seven problems and seven solutions, providing a blueprint colleges can use to improve the quality of education and professional training.

Shifting the Focus

The Chronicle of Higher Education explains that this report, titled “Reclaiming the American Dream: Community Colleges and the Nation’s Future,” is the culmination of several months of research by a 38-member community. Those involved in the report include college presidents, education-policy experts, and leaders of non-profit groups.

“This is a brutally honest report,” Walter Bumphus, president of the American Association of Community Colleges, told the Chronicle. “For years we have been focused on access, and now we need to turn our attention equally to student access. It takes courage to say we can do better.”

The report offers a new perspective on the condition of community colleges beyond their commitment to an open-admission policy and providing access to students who are typically underserved. Once the students are enrolled, their success becomes

As community colleges grapple with large student populations and fewer resources, technology has become one solution for meeting the needs of more students for less money. Schools that adeptly integrate technology into daily campus life can accommodate a wide range of student schedules, without a press release on Market Watching more manpower to handle the job. The Center for Digital Education and Converge Online recently recognized some of the community colleges across the country that are making the best use of technology to enhance the education experience. These schools topped the list of the Digital Community Colleges Survey as some of the most technically savvy schools in the nation.

About the Survey

The recent survey by the Center for Digital Education and Converge Online took a number of factors into consideration as they were determining the top community colleges for technology usage, including:

• Integration of technology into campus life and course curriculum
• Documentation of online admissions processes
• Sufficient technology training for both faculty members and students
• Efficient use of Web 2.0 social functions
• Ability to accommodate distance education
• Ample online services for students, including tutoring and advising services
• Ability to utilize campus security alerts through technology

With a number of factors considered, it becomes apparent that those community colleges that made the grade in this current survey find ways to integrate digital technology into every facet of daily campus life.

“As community college enrollments continue to increase, school leaders are incorporating new technologies to enhance student services and improve course curriculum,” Cathilea

Mobile apps are providing information on the go for a host of subjects today. Now, community colleges are getting in on the technology action, with their very own apps designed just for their students and faculty. Whether you are looking for information about extracurricular activities available on campus or where to go for financial aid assistance, these apps are ready to get you the information you need in a flash – no matter where you might be. Check out how some community colleges across the country are using the latest technology craze to make campus life easier for their student body.

Two Mobile Apps Available to Montgomery County Community College Students

Montgomery County Community College students now have their campus in the palms of their hands – quite literally – with two new mobile apps available. According to a report at the Upper Moreland-Willow Grove Patch, the school now features MOX, an application by Datatel’s Mobile Access that offers a wealth of information about the college. The app includes general information about both the Blue Bell and Pottstown campuses, including current campus events, contact information for school administrators, class schedules and locations, and even overdue library books. The app is linked to the campus portal, allowing users to sign in with their usual MC3 username and password. Information from the portal that is also included in the app gives students access to important information from anywhere on campus. Currently, Montgomery County is the only

Community colleges have traditionally been focused on getting in, getting an associate degree in two years or less, and getting into the workforce as quickly as possible. Those who wanted to continue their education had to take on the headache of transferring all of their community college credits to a four-year institution. Today, a number of community colleges are offering bachelor's degrees to student who complete associate degrees and want to take their training and education to the next level - without leaving campus.

What's Different about Community College Bachelor's Degrees?

While many students are clamoring for a spot in a four-year community college program that costs much less than a similar degree from a nearby university, community colleges are stressing the point that they are not trying to be just like the four-year postsecondary institutions. First, most community colleges offering bachelor's degrees are doing so as an extension of their own associate degree programs. Students earn the associate degree first to become eligible to apply for the bachelor's program.

These bachelor's degrees will also differ from traditional university offerings because they will be limited to degree programs that can take students directly into the workforce. In keeping with the long-standing tradition of community colleges to raise up a new generation of work-ready adults, these programs are designed specifically with a profession in mind. Instead of offering liberal arts programs in political science or English, these bachelor's degrees will be in specific fields like

For many students, college has traditionally represented independence from family. However, a growing number of families are redefining that experience. Today, it is increasingly common for parents, especially mothers, to attend community college alongside their children.

What once felt unusual is now part of a broader shift toward multi-generational education, driven by economic pressures, workforce demands, and expanded access to flexible learning options.

Why More Families Are Attending College Together

The original rise of this trend was tied to economic factors. During periods of financial instability, many adults returned to school to gain new skills or transition careers, while their children chose more affordable community colleges.

That dynamic still exists today, but the trend has expanded due to several newer factors:

Key Drivers in 2024–2026

• Rising tuition costs at four-year universities

• Growth of flexible and online learning options
• Increased demand for career-focused credentials
• Workforce shifts requiring upskilling and reskilling

Community colleges have become a natural meeting point for both generations, offering affordability, accessibility, and flexible scheduling.

👉 Learn more about cost advantages: https://www.communitycollegereview.com/blog/the-hidden-benefits-of-starting-at-a-community-college

The Growth of Student Parents in Community College

The “going to school with mom” trend is part of a larger demographic shift.

• About 4.8 million undergraduate students are parents, representing roughly one-quarter of all college students
• Approximately 2.1 million student parents attend community colleges
• Around one-third of women in community college are mothers, and many are single parents

These numbers highlight how community colleges increasingly serve not just recent high school graduates, but entire