The conversation about the future of community colleges is evolving, and it requires more nuance than a single narrative.

Rural and urban institutions face very different realities. Yet the core mission remains the same: expanding access, strengthening workforce pathways, and advancing long-term economic mobility for learners and communities.

NASPA Leadership Exchange recently published a new article I co-authored with Dr. Leah Barrett, President of Northeast Community College titled, 👉 “Future Trends and Opportunities.”

In this piece, we explore how community colleges fulfill their mission in distinct ways across local contexts, while remaining deeply aligned in purpose.

Specifically, we examine:

🌾 How rural community colleges serve as workforce and economic anchors through deep industry partnerships, applied learning, and regional collaboration

🏙️ How metropolitan community colleges address access, equity, and basic needs while supporting diverse, first-generation learners at scale

🧩 Why workforce development, short-term credentials, and work-based learning are no longer optional, but ethical and moral imperatives

🧠 How addressing basic needs like food, housing, transportation, and mental health is foundational to student persistence and completion

🎓 Why dual and concurrent enrollment pathways are becoming essential strategies for early access, credential momentum, and long-term mobility

Read the article here: https://www.leadershipexchange-digital.com/leadershipexchange/library/item/2026winter/4308655/