Turning promising ideas into practical solutions that strengthen community colleges and inform policy.
The Center for Policy and Practice (“the Center”) bridges policy and practice by supporting community colleges as they move from opportunities to implementation. We work alongside colleges and partners to translate promising practices, policies, and emerging opportunities into practical, sustainable solutions that strengthen institutions and better support students and communities.
Through collaborative project design, technical assistance, practical resources, and cross-sector partnerships, we help colleges address real challenges, build capacity, and sustain change beyond a single project or funding cycle.
How we work
The Center sits at the intersection of policy and practice.
We help community colleges translate policies, programs, and emerging opportunities into practical action, while bringing the experiences and perspectives of college practitioners into broader policy conversations.
POLICY INFORMS PRACTICE
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PRACTICE INFORMS POLICY
Design Practical Solutions | We work with colleges, funders, and partners to develop projects, pilot approaches, and practical resources that respond to real challenges facing community colleges and their students.
Support Implementation | We provide technical assistance, tools, peer learning, communities of practice and structured support that help colleges implement new policies, programs, and promising practices in ways that fit their institutional contexts.
Learn From the Field | Through case studies, research briefs, convenings, evaluation, and ongoing engagement with participating colleges, we identify lessons, challenges, and promising approaches that can strengthen individual projects and inform the broader field.
Inform Policy and Sustain Change | We bring the experiences and perspectives of community college leaders and practitioners into policy and advocacy conversations. We also help institutions operationalize solutions and build the capacity to sustain effective approaches beyond a single project or funding cycle.
Our Focus Areas
Work With and Support the Center
The Center for Policy and Practice welcomes collaboration and support from foundations, corporate philanthropy, community colleges, national organizations, and other partners committed to advancing the community college sector.
Working alongside ACCT’s Government Relations team, we will continue to listen to the needs of the membership and advocate for policies that move community colleges and higher education forward.
For all other general inquiries or requests, contact: [email protected]
Thank you to all of our funding partners!
