April is Community College Month, and that presents a great opportunity to get the word out about why community colleges matter, how your college is serving your community's needs today, and why public support for our colleges is more important than ever.
April is Community College Month, and that presents a great opportunity to get the word out about why community colleges matter, how your college is serving your community's needs today, and why public support for our colleges is more important than ever.
The 2026 #CCMonth theme is "The Smartest First Step, the Strongest Next Step."
Click through the toolkit online:
- Introduction
- Logo
- Talking Points for Community College Advocates
- Suggested Social Media Posts & Tips
- About Op-Eds & Sample Op-Eds
- Sample Press Release
- Sample Board Resolutions
- CCMonth Home Page
About the Theme
This year’s theme — “The Smartest First Step. The Strongest Next Step.” — captures the full reality of what community colleges offer:
- A first step for millions who begin their higher education journey affordably and transfer successfully
- A next step for workers upgrading their skills in a changing economy
- And for many, the complete step — a terminal credential that launches an essential, well‑paid career in fields like nursing, welding, HVAC, public safety, IT support, industrial maintenance, medical technology, and more
Community colleges are where meaningful careers start, grow, and evolve.
Everyone today is looking for encouraging stories, and we know that community colleges have them.
Your assignment: Reach out to your local press and tell them why going to community college is the smartest first step for college students, and the strongest next step for others in your community who are seeking higher education. Tell specific stories about how your college transformed someone's life--and then tell another and another and another.
Share those stories with your state and federal representatives, your governors, business owners. If you can, invite them onto your campus and show them firsthand what your college is capable of and introduce them to your thriving students so they can share in their exuberance.
Our toolkit is designed to jumpstart your outreach activities. Implement all the included activities that you can, but don't limit your imagination. Be inspired, be creative, and inspire us with your accomplishments this April.
And share all your stories with us at [email protected] and [email protected] so that we can amplify them and help to get the message out.
Some Words of Encouragement
We know that institutions are being challenged right now like never before.
Community College Month is your opportunity to demonstrate the vital importance of your college, and to make an undeniable case for why attending your college is the #BestDecisionEver for almost any student.
The toolkit includes information to help you make this case.
Please let us know about your campaign efforts. Be sure to tag us on social media accounts (see links below if you're not already following us), and email us with links to stories, your questions and thoughts.