Rebuilding the American Dream: How Community Colleges Are Driving Economic and Social Mobility

Rebuilding the American Dream: How Community Colleges Are Driving Economic and Social Mobility

Series Panelists

Dr. Rebecca Ashford

President
Chattanooga State Community College

Dr. Kimberly Beatty

Chancellor
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City

Dr. Pam Eddinger

President
Bunker Hill Community College

Dr. Jacquelyn Elliott

President
Central Arizona College

Dr. John Enamait

President
Stanly Community College

Dr. Lane Glenn

President
Northern Essex Community College

Dr. Vern Lindquist

President
Johnston Community College

Dr. Jeremy McMillen

President
Grayson College

Dr. Char Perlas

President
College of the Siskiyous

Dr. Joianne Smith

President
Oakton College

Dr. Gregory Williams

President
Odessa College

Dr. Ding-Jo Currie

Executive Director
Community College Think Tank Strategic Solutions

Earning Enrollment – Community Colleges are the Smartest Path to Mobility

Students have more choices – and more questions – than ever before. In a shrinking pipeline, enrollment isn’t guaranteed. Learn how community colleges are using data to reach high-potential students, align outreach with career opportunity, and position themselves as the smartest path to economic and social mobility.

From Momentum to Mobility – Rethinking Student Progression for Today’s Learners

Staying enrolled is no longer enough – students must keep moving toward credentials that lead somewhere. Explore how colleges are using early momentum metrics to track progress, identify where students get stuck, and ensure every learner stays on a path to meaningful outcomes and mobility.

Completion with Purpose – Ensuring Value Added Credentials Lead to Family-Sustaining Wages

Not all completions lead to careers – and students are rightfully asking what their credential is worth. Discover how institutions are aligning academic pathways with industry-recognized credentials, tracking post-graduation outcomes, and making sure students leave with more than a diploma – they leave with a future.

From Data to Action – Building the Infrastructure for Student and Institutional ROI

Disconnected systems and unreliable data hold institutions back. See how colleges are building modern data infrastructure to unify insights, guide faster decisions, and drive real impact – from increased completions to stronger funding returns and better workforce alignment.