Abstract:

Community colleges—two-year public institutions—are a vital part of the American education ecosystem. Providing academic instruction and vocational support to a disproportionate number of low-income students, students of color, and students who are otherwise unable to obtain similar resources, community colleges also serve as a crucial proponent of a mobile and vibrant economy. That said, community colleges have long faced challenges with finances, with a most pertinent root cause of lowered enrollment and therefore decreased tuition revenue. With the COVID-19 pandemic as an added interruption in normal operations, community colleges around the nation are encountering challenges to revitalize and continue acting upon its objectives. Through a case study on Bunker Hill Community College located in Boston, Massachusetts, interviews with its administrative members, and discussions with experts in the field, this paper finds that revitalization of community colleges relies on continued experimentation with instruction methods—including hybrid learning and non-term-time courses—as well as increased exploration of industry partnerships in order to target the growing interest that prospective college students have in career readiness and professional training.

Keywords: community college, education, finance, enrollment, industry