As colleges explore new approaches to engage adult learners and align to local workforce needs, co-creating with the community is key.
In this webinar discussion, we dove into key findings and recommendations from our new brief on how a community-centered approach can lead to responsive educational pathways, and held a panel discussion with key partners driving this work:
- Dr. Joyce Lui, Executive Director, Institutional Effectiveness & Educational Services, San José Evergreen Community College District
- José Manuel Murillo, Director of Place-Based Initiatives, Amigos de Guadalupe
- Dr. Rowena Tomaneng, Deputy Chancellor, California Community Colleges
- Dr. Laura Bernhard (Moderator), Senior Researcher, California Competes
Key Takeaways
Cocreating this college program relied on authentic community engagement. Here’s what that looks like:
- Trust: Strong relationships and a demonstrated commitment to the shared effort lay the foundation for a successful college-community partnership.
- Humility: When all parties show up on equal footing, they can effectively share knowledge and foster community ownership over solutions.
- Transparency: To make informed decisions about what educational pathways are right for them, community members need clear information about colleges’ and employers’ expectations.
- Consistency: Meeting multiple times, not just once, allows college and community partners to understand each other’s needs and challenges better and deepen their relationships over time.
Related Research & Resources
Research
Explore lessons learned from a community-centered approach used in East San José to create college programs that align with local residents’ and workforce needs.
Commentary
As leaders explore new approaches to student engagement and institutional design, they must place community voices at the heart of systems change. This commentary digs into how design thinking can lead to solutions that truly serve community needs, using our work to design a college model tailored to adult learners in East San José as a model.
Current Project
California Competes and San José City College (SJCC) are working together to develop a college model tailored to the needs of low-wage workers in East San José.
