In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, the traditional metrics of student success in community colleges—primarily focused on retention and graduation rates—are being re-evaluated. The book Student Success in the Community College: What Really Works? offers a fresh perspective on this pressing issue. It brings together respected leaders, researchers, and innovators from the community college sector to discuss the multifaceted nature of student success.

The authors argue that achieving student success requires a comprehensive redesign of community colleges, aligning their missions and goals with the diverse needs of their student populations and available resources. This approach recognizes that there is no universal solution; instead, institutions must tailor their strategies to fit their unique contexts.

Each chapter of this book delves into different aspects of student success, showcasing national, state, and regional initiatives. The chapter authors identify key principles that institutions can adopt to frame their student success initiatives effectively. They emphasize the importance of action-oriented strategies, illustrating how community colleges can implement concrete measures to improve both student and institutional success.

By examining successful case studies from various community college settings, Student Success in the Community College: What Really Works? provides a valuable resource for educators, policymakers, and administrators. The insights offered in this book are designed to stimulate thought and inspire actionable change. As the landscape of education continues to shift, the principles laid out in this book will serve as essential guidelines for community colleges striving to enhance their effectiveness in supporting student success.

In conclusion, this book is a vital contribution to the ongoing conversation about how community colleges can better serve their students. It not only challenges the outdated definitions of success but also puts forth a compelling argument for a more nuanced and inclusive understanding of what it means to succeed in a community college setting.