Key Messaging Pillars for 2026
These pillars bolster all talking points, social media, op‑eds, speeches, and advocacy materials.
Consider presenting an overview of all pillars that can make strong arguments for your institution as well as presenting a series of separate phases of outreach, each one emphasizing a different pillar.
Pillar 1: Community Colleges Are the Nation’s Workforce Engine
Community colleges train the workers who keep America running, including (and not limited to!):
- Nurses and medical technicians
- Welders, electricians, and HVAC technicians
- Manufacturing, robotics, and advanced materials specialists
- AI‑augmented technicians and cybersecurity professionals
- Logistics, transportation, and aviation professionals
- Early childhood educators and human services workers
Message Focus:
Community colleges produce job-ready graduates whose skills are immediately valued by local employers — often in one or two years, sometimes in weeks.
Why is this the first pillar?
- Over 2,000 board members told ACCT via our 2025 Survey of Community College Trustees that “occupational training and workforce development” is the third greatest challenge for community college to live up to—and the greatest opportunity to make an impact.
- The State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO) has declared workforce development to be the top priority for 2026.
- Lightcast predicts that 2026 will be “The Year Higher Ed Workforce Focus Finally Hits Escape Velocity.”
- The U.S. Department of Education is strongly emphasizing workforce readiness as a top priority in 2026.
- …and all recognize community colleges as positioned to take the lead.
Pillar 2: Community Colleges Are Leaders in the Skills‑First, AI‑Enabled Economy
In 2026, employers increasingly value skills over credentials, and AI is reshaping workplace competencies.
Community colleges are uniquely positioned to meet this moment by offering:
- rapid, up-to-date workforce training
- short-term and stackable credentials
- experiential learning tied to real employer needs
- AI‑integrated coursework and digital literacy pathways
Message Focus:
Community colleges ensure Americans can adapt, compete, and thrive in a rapidly changing economy.
Pillar 3: Community Colleges Deliver the Best Education ROI in America
At a time of heightened skepticism about the cost of higher education, community colleges stand out for:
- dramatically lower tuition
- high transfer success
- industry-aligned curricula
- strong labor market outcomes
Message Focus:
A community college education isn’t just affordable — it’s a smart investment with measurable returns.
Americans are more confident in two-year colleges than in four-year colleges and universities, according to a 2024 study by Gallup and Lumina Foundation.
“About half of Americans (48%) say they have a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in community college,” the report states, “as one-third of Americans report high levels of confidence in four-year institutions.” The report attributes the difference primarily to affordability.
Pillar 4: Community Colleges Offer Multiple, Valid Pathways — All of Them Successful
A First Step — The Transfer Pathway
About a third of community college students transfer to a four-year university to pursue a bachelor’s degree, often saving tens of thousands of dollars in tuition and fees during their years at the community college.
A Strong Next Step — The Upskilling Pathway
About 48% of working adults have attended a community college at some point in their lives, according to the Community College Research Center at Columbia University. Working adults often take courses at community colleges to gain new skills, certifications, and credentials that advance or change careers.
A Complete Step — The Terminal Credential Pathway
Certificates and applied degrees attained through community colleges prepare students for in-demand, high-wage careers with no further education required.
Message Focus:
Success is measured different ways by different people, and community colleges support everyone with equal respect for each student’s goals.
Related information: