At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, community colleges across the country saw a decline in enrollment for myriad reasons — financial, family, illness, lack of internet or inability to adapt to online learning. As in-person and hybrid learning resume, enrollment numbers have not returned to pre-COVID levels.
Economic issues still impact many community college students, a large number of whom are adult learners or have extensive family obligations. Students navigate housing and food insecurity, transportation issues, and other limitations to access.
Individuals committed to community colleges and the vital role they play in American higher education continue to advocate for the students and the institutions that serve them.
Dr. Monica Parrish Trent
Critical needs
“We are experiencing significant enrollment losses, especially in some states, like California, and we are working to try to get students back into our institutions, but we’re also seeing some significant demographic shifts,” said Jee Hang Lee, president and CEO of the Association of Community College Trustees. “We have experienced significant loss of older students, who have typically been our traditional community college students.”
Dr. Everrett A. Smith, an associate professor of higher education at University of Cincinnati, said basic needs such as food, housing, and mental health care are critical challenges that community colleges are trying to recognize and address.
