December 14, 2021

For more than a century, community colleges have been opening doors and creating opportunities in communities across the U.S. In the last couple of years, they’ve continued delivering on their mission in a rapidly shifting environment, pivoting and acting nimbly to meet the needs of students, faculty, and employers. While accessibility remains an issue at the forefront, it’s one of many areas where community colleges are evolving. They continue to find innovative solutions that drive value, including factors outlined in Barnes & Noble College's College 2030 report released early this year, such as refreshed academic content and the ability to introduce practical skills and drive post-grad success.

In this roundtable discussion, we’ll elaborate on how community colleges are delivering on the elements needed for a successful college experience as well as how community colleges are the equitable solution needed to democratize higher education.

We'll explore:

• Evolving to offer greater value
• ​​​​​​Improving equitable access
• Adapting to meet the needs of today's job market
• Preparing students to join the workforce

Speakers: Jonathan Shar, President, Barnes & Noble College, BNED; Rufus Glasper, Ph.D., President and CEO, League for Innovation in the Community College; Dr. Donald Parker, M.D., Coordinator, Inclusive Access, and Professor, Biology, Houston Community College; Anastasia Urtz, J.D., Provost and Senior Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs, Onondaga Community College

Presented in partnership by Barnes & Noble College and the League for Innovation in the Community College