The State of the Sector for Community Colleges

Join EAB for a two-part virtual series exploring the findings from the 2025-2026 State of the Sector for Community Colleges and the strategic implications for institutional leaders. As community colleges navigate an increasingly complex landscape marked by policy shifts, funding uncertainty, workforce disruption, and evolving student expectations, leaders must balance immediate challenges with long-term transformation. This series will examine the most pressing forces reshaping the sector and provide practical strategies to help institutions strengthen resilience, demonstrate value, and position themselves for future success.

Sessions

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• Part One: External Accountability & Financial Sustainability
  Tuesday, August 11, 2026 | 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time
  
  Community colleges face growing pressure to demonstrate their value through strong student outcomes and workforce impact. This session will explore emerging accountability measures, performance-based funding trends, enrollment dynamics, and strategies institutions can use to strengthen financial sustainability in an era of increasing scrutiny.
  
  Key Takeaways:
  
  • Understand the evolving accountability landscape and its implications for community colleges
  • Examine emerging state and federal funding trends
  • Identify strategies to improve financial sustainability and institutional resilience
  • Explore approaches for communicating institutional value to policymakers and stakeholders

• Part Two: Market Relevance & Institutional Agility
  Tuesday, September 15, 2026 | 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time
  
  AI, changing workforce demands, and shifting student expectations are redefining higher education’s value proposition. This session will examine how colleges can adapt their programs, operations, and culture to remain relevant while building the organizational agility needed to respond to ongoing disruption.
  
  Key Takeaways:
  
  • Assess the impact of AI and labor market changes on academic programming
  • Explore strategies for preparing students for an evolving workforce
  • Identify characteristics of agile, future-ready institutions
  • Learn leadership practices that support innovation, change management, and long-term success