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Unlocking Opportunity: Progress Moving More Students toward Good Jobs

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Title: Unlocking Opportunity: Progress Moving More Students toward Good Jobs
Language: English
Authors: Tess Henthorne, Konrad Mugglestone, Davis Jenkins, Hana Lahr, Josh Wyner, Columbia University, Community College Research Center (CCRC), Aspen Institute, College Excellence Program
Source: Community College Research Center, Teachers College, Columbia University. 2026.
Availability: Community College Research Center. Available from: CCRC Publications. Teachers College, Columbia University, 525 West 120th Street Box 174, New York, NY 10027. Tel: 212-678-3091; Fax: 212-678-3699; e-mail: ccrc@columbia.edu; Web site: http://ccrc.tc.columbia.edu/
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 19
Publication Date: 2026
Intended Audience: Administrators; Policymakers; Researchers; Practitioners
Document Type: Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Two Year Colleges
Descriptors: Community Colleges, Community College Students, College Programs, College Enrollment, Labor Market, Program Design, Academic Advising, Education Work Relationship, Alignment (Education), Bachelors Degrees, Graduation Rate, Transfer Programs, Dual Enrollment
Geographic Terms: Wisconsin, Texas (San Antonio), Florida (Saint Petersburg), Texas, Oklahoma (Tulsa)
Abstract: Released in partnership with the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program, this report highlights early outcomes from the first 10 colleges in the Unlocking Opportunity network. The authors demonstrate that community colleges can rapidly increase enrollment in high-value workforce and transfer pathways while reducing enrollment in or improving programs with weaker labor market and bachelor's degree outcomes. Between 2022 and 2025, the participating colleges collectively moved more than 20,000 additional students into high-value pathways by redesigning academic programs, strengthening advising and onboarding, improving transfer pathways, aligning programs with employer demand, and using data to drive institution-wide change. The report is designed for community college leaders, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners seeking evidence-based approaches to improve students' post-graduation outcomes. Alongside network-wide findings, it features college examples and practical lessons that demonstrate how institutions can strengthen program value and help more students access good jobs and bachelor's degrees.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 20260101
Accession Number: ED682182
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
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  Data: Unlocking Opportunity: Progress Moving More Students toward Good Jobs
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  Data: Community College Research Center. Available from: CCRC Publications. Teachers College, Columbia University, 525 West 120th Street Box 174, New York, NY 10027. Tel: 212-678-3091; Fax: 212-678-3699; e-mail: ccrc@columbia.edu; Web site: http://ccrc.tc.columbia.edu/
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  Data: 19
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Wisconsin%22">Wisconsin</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Texas+%28San+Antonio%29%22">Texas (San Antonio)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Florida+%28Saint+Petersburg%29%22">Florida (Saint Petersburg)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Texas%22">Texas</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Oklahoma+%28Tulsa%29%22">Oklahoma (Tulsa)</searchLink>
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  Data: Released in partnership with the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program, this report highlights early outcomes from the first 10 colleges in the Unlocking Opportunity network. The authors demonstrate that community colleges can rapidly increase enrollment in high-value workforce and transfer pathways while reducing enrollment in or improving programs with weaker labor market and bachelor's degree outcomes. Between 2022 and 2025, the participating colleges collectively moved more than 20,000 additional students into high-value pathways by redesigning academic programs, strengthening advising and onboarding, improving transfer pathways, aligning programs with employer demand, and using data to drive institution-wide change. The report is designed for community college leaders, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners seeking evidence-based approaches to improve students' post-graduation outcomes. Alongside network-wide findings, it features college examples and practical lessons that demonstrate how institutions can strengthen program value and help more students access good jobs and bachelor's degrees.
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  Data: ED682182
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 19
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Community Colleges
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Community College Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Programs
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      – SubjectFull: College Enrollment
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      – SubjectFull: Labor Market
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      – SubjectFull: Program Design
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      – SubjectFull: Education Work Relationship
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      – SubjectFull: Transfer Programs
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      – TitleFull: Unlocking Opportunity: Progress Moving More Students toward Good Jobs
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