AACC’s programs, projects and partnerships span a variety of topic areas: workforce development, sustainability, accountability, technology and technical education, and student success among others.
opens in a new window21st Century Initiative
In response to President Obama’s education agenda and challenge for community colleges to educate an additional 5 million students with degrees, certificates, or other credentials by 2020, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) is leading advancement of the next era of community college evolution through its three-phase 21st-Century Initiative.
opens in a new windowAdvanced Technological Education
The National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program provides grants to improve and expand educational programs to prepare skilled technicians to work in the high-tech fields that drive the U.S. economy. The program is Congressionally mandated and focuses on undergraduate and secondary school education. AACC hosts an annual ATE project directors’ conference and sponsors an ATE mentoring program for community colleges.
opens in a new windowATAIN
The AI Transfer and Articulation Infrastructure Network (ATAIN) is a groundbreaking national initiative supercharging credit mobility and college transfer success for learners across the country. By harnessing cutting-edge AI technology through a software platform called CourseWise, ATAIN aims to eliminate the frustration, friction, and uncertainty of credit transfer and empower institutions to best serve their students.
opens in a new windowMentorLinks
MentorLinks, developed with the support of the National Science Foundation, is designed for community colleges that could benefit from technical assistance and networking opportunities to improve undergraduate education that prepares technicians in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
opens in a new windowThe Pathways Project
AACC has undertaken, with generous funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a national project focused on building capacity for community colleges to design and implement structured academic and career pathways for all of their students.
opens in a new windowVoluntary Framework of Accountability
AACC is pleased to announce that we are partnering with the National Student Clearinghouse to use the Postsecondary Data Partnership (PDP) platform for the VFA in the 2025 collection cycle. AACC will provide Colleges that participated in the VFA for the 2024 collection cycle support to transition to the new PDP data collection process. Support will include technical support to upload the PDP data files, support to navigate the PDP dashboards, and tools to help colleges cross walk data in the PDP to VFA equivalent metrics. Many VFA metrics are already available in PDP dashboards, and the PDP is developing a new dashboard with the VFA six-year outcomes.
opens in a new windowWorkforce and Economic Development opens in a new window
Workforce and Economic Development brings together community colleges, offices of economic development, workforce boards, labor market entities, and other community organizations to improve the economic prosperity of business, workers, and communities. The Center provides technical assistance on collaborative practices, labor market analysis, and performance analysis in order to promote more integrated and interactive practices.