CONAHEC Member Institution

Formed in 1920, AACC is a national voice for community colleges, which marked their 100th year of service to the nation in 2001. AACC is leading the celebration of the colleges as they provide learning opportunities to their students and communities and the nation.AACC will be a bold leader in creating a nation where all have access to the learning needed to participate productively in their communities and in the economy. Through AACC's leadership, community colleges will increasingly be recognized as the gateway to the American dream - the learning resource needed to sustain America's economic viability and productivity. AACC will pursue this vision by:

• expanding its role as the nation's primary voice for guaranteeing access to and accountability for higher learning;
• influencing federal policy decisions relevant to higher learning as well as media coverage that promotes awareness and understanding of the critical factors of student success;
• promoting community colleges as the premier workforce development providers in America and influencing government and corporate funding policies to support the colleges in this key role;
• fostering partnerships with P-12 schools, other higher education institutions, minority-serving institutions, corporate learning centers and businesses that will ensure that all students have optimal learning opportunities to meet their goals efficiently and effectively;
• developing community college leaders at all levels who understand and share a deep commitment to the community college mission and core values;
• forging community development and renewal by working to ensure access to lifelong learning to benefit individuals, communities and society in general;
• providing the best and most accessible information to the media, faculty, researchers, policymakers and the public regarding the community college mission, student learning, trends shaping education, emerging jobs and exemplary programs;
• supporting community colleges to prepare learners to be effective in a global society;
• empowering community colleges to grow as a global force for learning by disseminating information and promoting international partnerships between American community colleges and countries seeking collaborative opportunities;
• creating a deeper and broader sense of connectedness among community colleges through technology; and
• promoting public recognition of the value of community colleges and the opportunities they provide.

The American Association of Community Colleges is the primary advocacy organization for the nation's community colleges. The Association represents more than 1,100 associate degree-granting institutions and some 10 million students.