New America and ACCT Expand Partnership to Bolster Community College Capacity for Workforce and Economic Development and the Future of Work

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, the Future of Work & Innovation Economy initiative at the think-and-action-tank New America and the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT)’s Center for Policy & Practice are pleased to announce two projects to strengthen community college strategies and practices for scaling work-based learning and bolstering trustee leadership for the present and future of work.

Both projects expand on collaborations initiated through the Accelerator for Community Colleges in the Innovation Economy, a national research, technical assistance, and policy program launched by New America and the U.S. National Science Foundation. The Accelerator focuses on capacity-building of the community college sector for emerging technologies, tech-based economic development, and regional innovation ecosystems. ACCT serves on the Accelerator’s National Partners Council alongside other national community college associations, including the American Association of Community Colleges and Achieving the Dream.

New America and ACCT invite community college leaders to indicate interest in participating in each project. Registration for a launch webinar will follow shortly.

With support from JPMorgan Chase, New America and ACCT will conduct a first-of-its-kind survey of community college trustees to identify promising practices in trustee leadership for institutional capacity-building related to economic and workforce development. The project aims to increase understanding of how community college governance can enhance college strategies and practices for partnering with employers, economic developers, state policymakers, labor leaders, and other community organizations.

The survey will also assess trustees’ needs for leadership development in institutional capacity-building, informing future research, technical assistance, and leadership development offerings that the two organizations will jointly develop to support the ACCT membership.

Powered by an investment in ECMC Group, New America and ACCT will develop an institutional self-study tool for college presidents, trustees, and leaders to define and assess their institutions’ approaches to creating work-based learning opportunities, including internships, apprenticeships, and project-based capstones, and to pinpoint priorities to increase their availability and quality.

Six colleges will be awarded funding to join a cohort to pilot the tool and implement a strategic plan based on findings to scale institutional work-based learning capacity. The self-study tool will be published for the benefit of all community colleges and embedded within ACCT Connect, the association’s professional development platform. Through the Accelerator, the findings will also inform New America’s policy and advocacy efforts focused on work-based learning for advanced and emerging industries shaping the future of work and the innovation economy.

“Over the past several years, we have seen interest in economic and workforce development grow among our membership,” said Steve Jurch, Associate Vice President for ACCT’s Center for Policy and Practices, “A nationwide survey of over 2,000 community college trustees published by ACCT in November identified workforce development as one of the top-five challenges for community colleges and the number-one area of opportunity for community colleges to make a difference. We are excited to deepen our partnership with New America to meet those needs.”

“When we joined forces with the U.S. National Science Foundation to launch the Accelerator for Community Colleges in the Innovation Economy, we knew we needed a village to achieve scale across the sector,” said Shalin Jyotishi, Founder and Managing Director of New America’s Future of Work and Innovation Economy initiative. “We are proud to join forces with ACCT in realizing the promise of the Accelerator through these two follow-up initiatives in service to community college pathways for the present and future of work.”

"Community colleges play a critical role in expanding workforce pathways for America’s talent to prepare for skilled and trade jobs including in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies,” said Erwin Gianchandani, U.S. National Science Foundation Assistant Director for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships. “We are delighted to see New America and ACCT build on the Accelerator for Community Colleges in the Innovation Economy to further strengthen offerings that will address workforce needs for both established and new technology-related jobs.”

About New America: New America is a think-and-action tank dedicated to renewing the promise of America in an age of rapid technological and social change. Our work prioritizes care and family wellbeing, advances technology in the public interest, reimagines global cooperation, builds effective democracy, and ensures affordable and accessible education for all. Learn more at newamerica.org.

About ACCT: The Association of Community College Trustees is a non-profit educational organization representing more than 6,500 trustees who govern over 1,000 community, technical, and junior colleges across the United States and beyond. Learn more at www.acct.org.