More Essential Than Ever
The Michigan Community College Association (MCCA) is proud to align with the Community College Research Center’s More Essential Than Ever framework, a resource designed to spark meaningful conversations rather than prescribe a single pathway. This framework challenges us to think boldly about how Michigan’s colleges can work together to scale student success, improve credential value, and strengthen transitions into career-path degree programs.
At its core, this work underscores collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to student success. MCCA is creating opportunities for collective engagement, structured around the Five Frontiers of Practice, which help colleges reimagine how they serve both students and their communities.
Frontier 1 – Align Programs to Good Jobs and Transfer in Major
Frontier 2 – Active and Experiential Learning
Frontier 3 – Career/College Program Exploration and Planning
Frontier 4 – On-time and Affordable Completion Support
Frontier 5 – On-ramps from High School
Launching the Frontiers of Practice
MCCA, in partnership with the Ohio Association of Community Colleges, will launch its cross-state Frontiers of Practice (FOP) initiative in March 2026. Institutions are strongly encouraged to focus on strategic priorities and student success work already underway that align with one or more of the five Frontiers identified in CCRC’s More Essential Than Ever research. The goal of the FOP is not to create new work from the ground up, but to help colleges strengthen and accelerate existing work by connecting it to emerging research and to peer institutions across Michigan, Ohio and other states addressing similar priorities.
This 1-minute video demonstrates how colleges can actively engage with and contribute to this collective effort.
This frontiers of practice will include:
- Bimonthly webinar sessions grounded in CCRC research and practical implementation strategies
- Structured opportunities for participating institutions to share challenges, successes, and lessons learned with peers
- Optional one on one coaching support available upon request to help institutions refine their approach
Registration is Open
Visit the MCCA events page to review and register for upcoming METE Frontiers of Practice sessions.
More Essential than Ever Frontiers of Practice Information Session
The MCCA and Ohio Association of Community College (OACC) teams held an information session on November 3 to provide an overview of the More Essential than Ever Frontiers of Practice. Session materials are available to review.
Subscribe to explore the meaningful ways to engage and contribute to this work, each offering an opportunity to deepen impact and drive lasting change. Colleges are invited to participate in a number of different ways:
1. Stay Informed – Receive updates, resources, events and case studies via email communication.
2. Participate – Join Frontier of Practice coalition meetings, engage in peer learning, and share practices.
3. Deep Engagement – Commit to structured coaching action planning, and campus visits.
More Essential Than Ever Discussion Guide
August 2025
Description:This discussion guide for More Essential Than Ever: Community College Pathways to Educational and Career Success helps faculty, staff, and administrators explore research-based strategies to strengthen student outcomes. Designed to spark cross-campus conversations, it provides practical questions and examples for rethinking how colleges can better support students on their pathways to education and careers.
More Essential Than Ever MCCA Cabinet Briefing Slides
August 2025
Description:CCRC joined Michigan colleges at MCCA’s 2025 Cabinet Briefing to share insights from a decade of research on Guided Pathways, highlighting their importance in strengthening student outcomes and sustaining community colleges in the face of declining enrollment and financial pressures. The session underscored the urgency of expanding dual enrollment, transfer, career-technical education, adult basic education, and workforce training to promote student mobility, success, and institutional resilience.
More Essential Than Ever Community College Pathways to Educational and Career Success
August 2025
Description:In More Essential Than Ever, researchers Davis Jenkins, Hana Lahr, John Fink, Serena C. Klempin, and Maggie P. Fay center US community colleges as critical to upward mobility and workforce development in their communities, highlighting new practices these institutions are using to build high-quality programs and support students' educational and career success.