Design Market-Informed Community College Programming
Community colleges are uniquely positioned to attract students as market demand spikes for jobs requiring associate’s degrees and vacancies among middle-skilled positions increase with retirements among boomers. Yet, while opportunity knocks, many institutions are not equipped to support the rapidly changing needs of the modern workforce. Community college administrators must proactively develop new programs based on market-trends and adapt old programs to include new workforce skills.
Assess and update your program portfolio to meet student needs
To remain financially sustainable in an era of increasing cost and enrollment pressures, community colleges must balance a program portfolio that advances the institutional mission, responds to market demands, and contributes to the bottom line.
Campus leaders are beginning to think more critically about the programs that they launch, knowing that the “if we build it, they will come” days are over. Yet, unlike the enthusiasm generated by launching new programs, efforts to reevaluate existing offerings often meet resistance from a broad range of campus stakeholders. This resource focuses on four imperatives crucial to guiding program optimization.
Design and launch new programs the right way, the first time
Community colleges seeking to grow enrollment are picking up the pace of new academic program launches. Yet, new market pressures are making launches riskier than ever. On the one hand prospective students are changing in both makeup and behavior; while on the other, competition is increasing, with short-form credentials continuing to grow.
Fund new, noncredit workforce training programs
Noncredit workforce training programs are often an integral part of growing program portfolios. However, many administrators struggle to identify funding sources for these programs, while the programs themselves lack self-sufficiency and prove unsustainable for the institution.
Through profiles of noncredit workforce training programs at seven institutions, explore how administrators fund the development and operations of new noncredit professional programs through grants and industry partnerships.
Strengthen your program portfolio through sustainable employer partnerships
Investing in sustainable employer partnerships can provide community colleges with the resources they need to strengthen their program portfolio, improve enrollments, and increase revenue. Watch the webconference below.
Now that you've read the roadmap
This resource requires EAB partnership access to view.
Access the roadmap
Learn how you can get access to this resource as well as hands-on support from our experts through Strategic Advisory Services for Community Colleges.
Learn More