The League for Innovation today rolls out the December 2025 issues of its premier monthly periodicals, delivering a fresh wave of ideas to spark transformation across community colleges.

The December issue of Leadership Abstracts, “Overlooked Outcome: How Simulation Training Develops Leaders, Not Just Technical Skills,” by Thomas Ackerman, dives into how simulation-based training does double duty. While commonly used to hone technical skills, the author shows that well-designed simulations also forge leadership traits: quick decision-making, teamwork, communication under pressure, and strategic thinking. The argument reframes simulation as a powerful leadership incubator—an approach that community colleges can leverage to prepare technically competent and leader-ready graduates.

In this month’s issue of Learning Abstracts, “Global Education on the Rise: A Wake Technical Community College Story,” Denise H. Barton chronicles how Wake Tech has expanded global learning opportunities for its students. The author describes efforts to embed international perspectives across disciplines, design curriculum enriched by global context, and build partnerships with institutions abroad. The result: a learning experience that broadens students’ cultural awareness and better equips them for a connected, globalized workforce.

In Innovation Showcase, “Beyond the Crystal Ball: How Austin Community College’s Futurist Is Helping Colleges Navigate Tomorrow,” Monique Reeves offers a glimpse into how Austin Community College is turning future-focused insight into concrete action. The piece explores the college’s use of trend spotting, scenario planning, and strategic foresight to anticipate shifts in technology, workforce needs, and higher-ed dynamics, then adapt curriculum, planning, and institutional strategy accordingly. It presents a replicable model for other community colleges aiming to stay agile in a rapidly changing landscape.

Taken together, these December releases highlight the League’s enduring mission: to support community colleges in fostering leadership, deep learning, global awareness, and bold innovation. Educators, administrators, policy-makers—and anyone invested in the future of community colleges—will find plenty of novel ideas, practical strategies, and inspiration in these articles.

The December 2025 issues and other engaging publications are now available here.