Document Tag: community college

Meal Vouchers Matter for Academic Attainment: A Community College Field Experiment (2023)

Given growing awareness of the high prevalence of food insecurity among college students, higher education leaders are
implementing various food interventions on their campuses. However, there is little research on the efficacy and impact of
these initiatives. Using data from a field randomized control trial, we find that a relatively modest financial investment in
campus meal cards coupled with proactive outreach by an existing campus office improved community college students’
academic attainment outcomes. Students who were invited to participate in the meal voucher program attempted and
completed more credits during their first year of college and were more likely to graduate in 2 years than otherwise similar
peers, indicating that a campus meal program can promote college success.

Clearing the path to a brighter future: Addressing Barriers to Community College Access and Success (2013)

Over the past 100 years, community colleges have evolved to become the largest sector of higher education, representing over 8 million credit students nationwide. These public institutions are pillars of the communities, providing education and workforce training that fuel local economies. While community colleges have historically focused on providing access to higher education for students, the need to increase degree attainment has emerged as an equally important aspect of institutional achievement. As the Association of Community Colleges Trustees work towards the goal of increasing not only higher education access but success for the nation’s low-income and underserved populations, there remains an overarching concern regarding the ability of our institutions to provide students with the assistance and support needed to persist and complete their degrees.