When colleges intentionally connect their people, align their programs with workforce realities, and reimagine pathways into meaningful credentials, transformation follows—and the March 2026 publications from the League for Innovation in the Community College bring that transformation into sharp focus.

In Leadership Abstracts, “It Takes a Campus: Elevating Employee Connectedness as a College Priority,” Jamee Harrington explores how strengthening employee community can serve as a cornerstone of institutional resilience. In this article, the author outlines actionable leadership practices that position belonging, engagement, and cross-campus collaboration as strategic imperatives. By embedding connectedness into culture, communication, and decision-making structures, colleges can foster stronger morale, improve retention, and reinforce shared commitment to mission-driven work.

The March issue of Learning Abstracts, “Unifying CTE and Continuing Education: LMI-Driven Pathways,” examines how labor market information (LMI) can align career and technical education with continuing education programming. Braden Reed, Jarod Bleibdrey, Christi Morgan, and Tara Boiles present a framework for designing responsive, data-informed pathways that reflect regional workforce needs. By integrating divisions that often operate separately, colleges can create clearer on-ramps to employment, improve program agility, and promote equitable access to high-demand careers.

In Innovation Showcase, “Related Instruction, Academic Credentials, and Innovations in Registered Apprenticeship,” Sue Roche and Gerald Russell highlight emerging models that connect related technical instruction with academic credentialing. The authors detail how colleges and employer partners are embedding credit-bearing coursework within registered apprenticeship programs, enabling learners to stack credentials while gaining paid, hands-on experience. These innovations strengthen industry partnerships and accelerate learner progression into sustainable careers.

Together, the March 2026 issues underscore a shared theme: community colleges thrive when they intentionally connect people, programs, and pathways. Through leadership, learning design, and workforce innovation, these publications continue the League’s commitment to advancing transformative practice across the field.

These periodicals and other engaging League publications are now available here.