From the July 8, 2012 article from The Atlantic magazine:
Clearly, America's community colleges are an essential part of bolstering the STEM workforce, and many of them are endeavoring to build and strengthen their STEM offerings based on current and projected industry needs. How can we help community colleges boost their ability to turn out qualified, employable STEM workers?
One good model for capacity building at the sub-baccalaureate level is the MentorLinks program, administered by the American Association of Community Colleges as part of the Advancing Technological Education program, which is Congressionally mandated and funded by the National Science Foundation. The MentorLinks program isn't big or flashy, but for a relatively modest investment in a select number of STEM programs at community colleges, it appears to achieve some significant, lasting results.