Noncredit education is rising in popularity, and estimates suggest that almost half of all community college students are enrolled in noncredit programs, yet data on these students is still sparse. Information about these students’ qualitative experiences, decision-making processes, and pathway navigation is particularly scarce. This project explores the experiences of workforce-oriented noncredit students at 3 different community colleges.
This research is being conducted in partnership with community colleges representing a range of policy and funding contexts: LaGuardia Community College, Mt. San Antonio College, and Northern Virginia Community College. This project will focus on students in select noncredit workforce programs offered at these institutions, particularly those that seek to connect marginalized and/or low-income adults with credentials and upwardly mobile career pathways.
Findings from this project will be useful for community college policymakers and practitioners alike, who are working to promote equity and economic growth for marginalized populations. This research will also serve to inform conversations about student perceptions of and experiences in noncredit programs and the role these programs can play in promoting equity. This research is funded by the Lumina Foundation.