Expanding advocacy for community college success

Abstract

AbstractCommunity colleges serve the largest percentage of under‐represented, under‐prepared, and under‐resourced students yet they are often underfunded in state budgets. This article demonstrates challenges and opportunities for community college leaders in state and federal political advocacy from the perspective of a community college state system leader, a national community college trustee leader, a Washington, DC attorney advocating for community college consortium initiatives, and a university researcher. Drawing from the American Association for Community Colleges (AACC) third edition of the Competencies for Community College Leaders, the article frames discussion of advocacy within leadership development. The purpose of the article is to equip community college leaders with strategic knowledge for advocacy in local, state, and federal political contexts to expand fiscal resources. The article details recent developments in community college consortium building for targeted federal funding and a recent shift in federal policy allowing earmarks in federal appropriations.