By Sun Jamerson, MSITM, Registrar, Lorain County Community College, and Co-Chair of the Community College Focus Committee, AACRAO
For over a century, community colleges have stood at the intersection of access, affordability, and opportunity, providing pathways to higher education for millions of Americans. As AACRAO professionals—registrars, admissions officers, and enrollment leaders—our work is inextricably linked to the evolution and continued relevance of these institutions.
Enrollment Leaders at the Forefront
As enrollment professionals, we must understand the complexity of serving this broad and diverse population. Our roles have evolved to include:
Streamlined and equitable admissions processes.
Transfer credit evaluation and degree audits.
Prior learning assessment and guided pathways.
Technology-enabled student services.
Data-informed approaches to student success and retention.
These aren’t just administrative tasks—they are the mechanisms through which student access and achievement become possible.
Scale and Student Profile Today
During the 2022–23 academic year, community colleges enrolled approximately 8.6 million students, representing about 40% of all undergraduates. More recently, in fall 2023, enrollment reached approximately 6 million students, or 37% of all undergraduate enrollment, according to the Community College Research Center.
Community colleges are also experiencing a modest recovery, with a 2.6% enrollment increase in fall 2023—the highest growth rate among all sectors in higher education, according to CCDaily. However, only 27% of community colleges have fully regained their pre-pandemic enrollment levels.
The demographics of community college students highlight the diversity of the student body:
The average age is 28, underscoring the high number of adult learners, as documented by Wikipedia.
Approximately 72% of students attend part-time, often balancing work or family responsibilities.
Nearly 80% are employed while enrolled.
Around 45% are first-generation college students, navigating systems without prior family experience in higher education.
These figures reinforce the need for student-centered systems and support structures that meet learners where they are—something enrollment professionals are uniquely positioned to influence.
Origins: Built on Access
The community college movement began in 1901 with the founding of Joliet Junior College in Illinois, widely recognized as the first of its kind. Initially serving as “junior colleges,” these institutions aimed to deliver the first two years of postsecondary education locally and affordably, particularly to students who might otherwise lack access.
Expansion Through Policy and Purpose
After World War II, the GI Bill catalyzed massive growth in higher education, and community colleges quickly expanded their missions beyond academic transfer to include technical and vocational training. These dual priorities remain at the heart of their purpose today—preparing students for both baccalaureate degrees and direct entry into the workforce, as noted in Brint & Karabel's 1989 publication.
Federal support through the Higher Education Act of 1965 further accelerated growth. By the 1970s, community colleges had become champions of open-access education, welcoming learners of all ages and backgrounds, especially those historically excluded from traditional four-year institutions, as documented by Cohen, Brawer, & Kisker in 2013.
Driving Student Success and Equity
Over the past two decades, community colleges have been central to major national reform efforts focused on improving student outcomes and advancing equity. Initiatives like Achieving the Dream and Completion by Design have encouraged institutions to closely examine student data, rethink traditional policies, and redesign pathways that guide students from entry to completion with greater clarity and support.
Achieving the Dream has helped hundreds of colleges build a culture of evidence and equity, focusing on closing achievement gaps and fostering long-term institutional change.
Completion by Design challenged colleges to streamline processes, reduce attrition at key momentum points, and align programs to career and transfer outcomes.
These efforts have had a direct impact on how we, as enrollment professionals, approach our work—moving from siloed processes to more integrated, student-centered models that support progression, completion, and upward mobility.
Innovation and Responsiveness in the 21st Century
Community colleges have consistently been agile and responsive to the evolving needs of both students and the workforce. From online and hybrid learning to dual enrollment partnerships, stackable credentials, and competency-based education, these institutions are at the forefront of innovation in higher education.
The COVID-19 pandemic further underscored their resilience, as many community colleges quickly adapted to maintain operations and provide student support despite significant disruptions, according to the AACC.
Guided pathways, wraparound services, and strong partnerships with local industry continue to reshape the student experience and improve outcomes. These strategies align closely with the frameworks established by Achieving the Dream and Completion by Design, reinforcing the importance of cross-functional collaboration, including academic affairs, student services, and enrollment management.
Looking Ahead From Inception to Impact
As community colleges continue to evolve, AACRAO professionals are essential in shaping the systems and policies that will define their future. Whether through improving transfer pathways, leading technology implementations, or promoting equity-focused practices, our collective work is central to advancing the mission of community colleges.
These institutions are not just stepping stones—they are engines of opportunity, equity, and community transformation. And our role in supporting them has never been more critical.