Rufus Gasper

Founded in 1968 by B. Lamar Johnson and a dozen U.S. community and technical college presidents, the League for Innovation in the Community College (League) has proudly served community college institutions for 54 years. Through these years, the League has sponsored more than 200 events and professional development opportunities, released over 200 publications, led more than 160 research and demonstration projects, and provided numerous other resources and services to the community college field.

Under the strategic direction of its board of directors, the League continues to fulfill its mission through conferences and institutes; online resources; research; and projects and initiatives with member colleges, corporate partners, government agencies, and private foundations in support of student and institutional success. The organization’s efforts center on essential topics for community colleges, including diversity, equity, and inclusion; information technology; leadership development; learning and student success; research and practice; and workforce development.

This issue of Innovatus highlights the innovative work being done through League projects. The cover article provides an overall context with its focus on partnerships that help meet students’ basic needs and prepare completers for high-demand careers. In the On-Ramping Underserved Populations for Career Pathways in Retail Management project, the League, Western Association of Food Chains, and college partners are providing education through the Retail Management Certificate Program that opens pathways for underserved populations with limited opportunities for career progression. As part of the Innovative Solutions for Hunger Relief and Student Success initiative, Northeast Texas Community College expanded services beyond an on-campus food pantry to a comprehensive, one-stop CARE Center with a mission to provide students with resources through access to education, healthy food, advocacy, and empowerment. Through Project Firstline, the League is helping community colleges to integrate enhanced infection control content into health-related courses in partnership with the American Hospital Association and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And with funding through the Garcia Family Foundation, the League is working with community colleges in developing partnerships with community agencies to provide wraparound services for low-income, first-generation students in Arizona as part of the Community College Collective Impact project.

On behalf of the League, I encourage you to use this magazine to start or expand conversations on your campus about supporting students based on their needs inside and out of the classroom, with special attention paid to issues that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rufus Glasper, Ph.D.
President and CEO
League for Innovation in the Community College