March 13, 2019
CCBA Conference 2019
CCRI shared recent work on community college baccalaureates (CCB) alongside partners from New America at the Community College Baccalaureate Association conference last week. In addition to presenting the results of a national landscape study, the researchers also facilitated a session on equity concerns and tactics for CCBs.
The Evolving Landscape for Community College Baccalaureates
Recently CCRI began working with New America’s Center on Education and Skills (CESNA) to refresh and expand understanding of CCB degrees nationally. The study builds on a national landscape study Dr. Bragg co-led in 2009 and focuses on state adoption and implementation of these degrees. During the CCBA conference, director Debra Bragg and researcher Maria Claudia Soler presented initial findings with New America’s Mary Alice McCarthy and Ivy Love. They highlighted what’s happening in states that are new adopters (e.g., Missouri & Ohio), potential adopters (e.g., New Hampshire & Wyoming), and mature adopters (e.g., Florida & Washington). In addition, the researchers led discussion on the important developments in institutional support for baccalaureate degree programs and student enrollments, and completion and employment. Issues related to demographics, geography, program (occupational) foci, and program approval were also covered. For more information about this study, view the recent post on New America’s website.
View CCB Landscape Presentation
The Equity Imperative
Exploring the equity of policies and processes related to community college is a core element of CCRI’s mission. CCRI Director Bragg brought this expertise to the CCBA conference alongside her New America colleagues. Their presentation shared evidence that prompts the need for an equity framework – such as the lower college completion rate for students of color (see Data Note 2) – and provided guidance on how to develop that framework. Presenters focused on barriers to enrollment and success in baccalaureate programs across higher education sectors (e.g. cost, information asymmetry, time poverty) and how community colleges can and are rising to meet these challenges. They also facilitated small group discussions on policies and program design elements that foster equity in community college baccalaureate programs.