Lansing Community College joins Unlocking Opportunity Network

Lansing Community College has joined the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program’s Unlocking Opportunity Network initiative. Lansing Community College is one of 55 colleges that has joined the network following a pilot program of 10 institutions. The new network members will use the pilot program’s findings and resources to continue improving student success.

According to an article on Lansing Community College’s website, Josh Wyner, who serves as the Executive Director of the Aspen Institute’s College Excellence Program, was quoted as saying of the initiative, “Every year, millions of students rely on community colleges for a low-cost pathway to what they assume will be a high-value credential. They rightly assume that the degree and certificate programs their colleges offer will deliver a good job and fulfilling career either directly after community college or after transferring and earning a bachelor’s degree. The leaders at each of the 55 colleges that have signed up for Unlocking Opportunity have made clear that they will spend the next three years working towards the kinds of reforms needed to make that assumption a reality for thousands more students.”

The colleges involved in the nationwide network will work to align the services they offer to the needs and expectations of students. Students want to graduate from their community college with an associate degree or a credential that will get them into a well-paying job, or into a four-year bachelor degree program. The Unlocking Opportunity Network will spend three years analyzing the student support services their institutions put forth to help students succeed, as well as their programming.

Member institutions of the Unlocking Opportunity Network will participate in both in-person and virtual workshop sessions that will help college leaders expand opportunities for student success using the findings of the original 10 pilot participants. These colleges will set goals for enrollments and will phase out lower-earning-potential programs while enhancing their higher opportunity programs.

Steve Robinson, the president of Lansing Community College, said, “Lansing Community College is honored to join this national initiative in collaboration with the Aspen Institute, aimed at transforming community colleges to better align with labor market needs. By enhancing support for our students, we are opening doors to quality employment opportunities and pathways to further education. We’re excited to drive this vital work forward, with the promise of strengthening our regional workforce for the future.”

For more information about Lansing Community College, visit the school’s website.