Community college isn’t a backup option: Rebranding higher ed’s underdogs

Mary Laphen Pope | April 1, 2025

Three years ago, we at Lumina Foundation became curious about the stigma surrounding community colleges. Americans saw them as the convenient, practical choice—but as a backup to something “better” and often not the first choice for serious students.

President’s Message

Jamie Merisotis | March 16, 2021

What if college advising went beyond course registration to truly know each student?

Cracking the Credit Hour

Sept. 4, 2012

This report traces the history of higher education's time-based unit of measurement – the credit hour – and argues persuasively for a new approach.

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Community college isn’t a backup option: Rebranding higher ed’s underdogs

President’s Message

Cracking the Credit Hour

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