According to a new DataPoints article from the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), public community colleges awarded more than 1.52 million credentials in 2023–24, showing a steady rebound since the pandemic. Short-term credentials, defined as programs lasting less than a year, rose 27% between 2017–18 and 2023–24.

The average student now earns about 1.34 credentials annually, reflecting growth in stackable or sequential credentialing pathways. Meanwhile, associate degree awards dipped from their 2020–21 peak but saw a modest recovery in 2023–24.

To learn more about enrollment trends across credential types, read the full DataPoints from AACC.

The Geospatial Technology Consortium of Community Colleges (GTC3) invites applications for GeoAcademy, an online professional development program designed to expand understanding and application of geospatial technologies. Through structured, hands-on learning and collaborative engagement, participants will explore how geospatial tools can enhance student learning, support research initiatives, strengthen program evaluation, and enrich instructional resources across disciplines. GeoAcademy is open to professionals affiliated with community colleges and related educational institutions, including faculty, librarians, researchers, and instructional designers. No prior experience with geospatial technologies is required. 

The application deadline is November 28, 2025. For additional information or to apply, visit GTC3’s website.
 

The webinar "Using LinkedIn to Navigate the AI-Driven Labor Market," hosted by the National Applied AI Consortium (NAAIC), will take place on November 18, 2025, from 12:00-1:00PM EST. Presenters from LinkedIn, public policy, economics, and social impact sections will share how community college faculty can leverage LinkedIn's workforce analytics and educational resources to help students strengthen their online presence, identify emerging areas of demand, and connect job trends to relevant learning opportunities. 

To learn more and register for the online event, visit NAAIC's website.

The United States is approach a significant skills shortage, according to a new report from the Georgetown University Center for Education and the Workforce (CEW). This gap stems from a combination of demographic, economic, and educational challenges reshaping the labor market.

Over the next seven years, more than 18 million workers with higher education are anticipated to retire - surpassing the 13.8 million graduates with comparable qualifications expected to enter the workforce. Meanwhile, the economy is forecasted to add more than half a million new jobs requiring post-secondary education, with an increasing percentage of positions demanding training beyond high school. Of the 561 occupations analyzed in CEW's report, 171 are projected to experience skills shortages, with the largest gaps expected in managerial roles, teaching, and nursing.

These challenges are compounded by the so-called "demographic cliff" - a decline in the number of high school graduates entering the pipeline. Although enrollment in post-secondary education is projected to rebound slightly over the next decade, it will still likely remain below 2010 levels.

To learn more about the nation's predicted...

Hosted by the Institute for Evidence-Based Change (IEBC), the Caring Campus Conference 2025: Building a National Culture of Care will be held November 12-14, 2025 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in San Diego, California. This event brings together college and university staff, faculty, researchers, and industry experts committed to fostering a caring environment in higher education. The Caring Campus Conference will include keynote speakers, professional panels, and focused sessions.

To learn more and register, visit the conference's website.

The National Science Foundation's Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program is seeking reviewers to help evaluate proposals that advance technician education and the skilled technical workforce. This helps the ATE program funds research and development projects that strengthen two-year college STEM programs, industry partnerships, curriculum innovation, and pathways that prepare the next generation of skilled technicians.

Serving as a reviewer is a great way to contribute to the ATE community, support impactful projects, and gain insight into the NSF review process. Reviewers can be STEM professionals, community college STEM faculty and leaders, industry partners, evaluators, or STEM educators. To submit interest in becoming a reviewer, complete NSF’s survey here.

In a recent report, the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research examines educational trends for associate of applied science (AAS) degrees, particularly those in business, information technology, and criminal justice. An increasing number of students with these credentials are transferring to four-year institutions instead of immediately entering the workforce post-graduation.

However, many AAS degree holders face challenges during the transfer process, including lower completion rates and lost program credits. Addressing these barriers is a pressing issue, with recent workforce data indicating an increasing demand for graduates with bachelor's degrees in business, information technology, and criminal justice. 

To learn more about AAS trends, transfer challenges, and targeted recommendations, read the full Belk Center report.

Supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) will be hosting this year’s ATE Principal Investigators’ (PI) Conference on October 29-31, 2025, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. The deadline for registration is October 2, 2025.

The August/September issue of the American Association of Community Colleges’ (AACC) Community College Journal is now available online and in print through subscription. A featured publication by AACC, this journal provides contemporary information, insights, strategies, and connections for those in academia, industry, government, and workforce development.

The latest issue highlights:

• AACC's announcement of its next president and CEO, DeRionne Pollard.
• Trends in the green building industry, including within higher education.
• The importance of organizational culture, culture-building, and leadership in quickly evolving landscapes.
• Ways to prevent burnout and initiative fatigue in the face of rapid change.

AACC's August/September publication of the Community College Journal can be accessed online here, and archived issues can be viewed in AACC’s library.

In a recent Dear Colleague Letter (DCL), the National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced an invitation for supplemental funding requests from current Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) and Advanced Technological Education (ATE) grantees to test, integrate, or build upon AI-based career learning opportunities and workforce preparation efforts for high school students. 

To be eligible for additional funding, proposals must demonstrate partnership among community colleges, high schools, and industry collaborators. Supported activities include curriculum development, micro-internships, hands-on training, certification programs, and dual enrollment opportunities. 

To determine eligibility prior to official proposal submission, contact the “Expanding AI Career and Skilled Technical Workforce Opportunities in Support of High School Students” program leads by providing a two-page summary of the planned funding request, including its budget, to: 

• [email protected] for current ExLENT awardees
• [email protected] for current ATE awardees

If approved to submit, supplemental requests are due by December 15th, 2025. 

NSF ATE and ExLENT program officers...