As the headquarters of The Council for the Study of Community Colleges (CSCC) since January 2020, the Office of Community College Research and Leadership (OCCRL) proudly hosted the organization's first-ever virtual conference in April 2021.
Held amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, CSCC's 62nd Annual Conference successfully brought together scholars, practitioners, graduate students, and higher education leaders from across the country for three days of learning, collaboration, and connection. Guided by the theme "Advancing Radical Possibilities for Community Colleges," the conference featured seven preconference sessions, 60 research and scholarly paper presentations, 48 roundtables, eight symposiums, a publishing session, two keynote addresses, and numerous networking opportunities for more than 300 registrants.
"We and our friends and colleagues went through a historic, first-time virtual CSCC conference together due to the pandemic," said Eboni Zamani-Gallaher, executive director of CSCC and director of OCCRL. "Participants who logged in to learn or present engaged with people they had never met before, while others rekindled longstanding professional relationships. We're extremely proud to have successfully hosted the conference virtually."
Day One: Setting the Stage for Dialogue and Discovery
The conference began with a series of thought-provoking preconference sessions. Among them was "Re-envisioning Community College Boards of Trustees," which examined opportunities to strengthen board representation through greater inclusion of women and historically marginalized groups.
Another featured session, "Navigating Community College and Further Education," highlighted student transfer experiences and explored how undergraduate research opportunities can support transfer readiness and long-term academic success.
Additional preconference discussions addressed a wide range of timely issues. Faculty members of color shared perspectives on promoting student achievement and equity; graduate students reflected on balancing multiple responsibilities and identities during the pandemic; department chairs exchanged insights on leadership preparation and professional development needs; and scholars explored topics ranging from Latina/o student access and success to the role of philanthropy in advancing racial equity and social justice in community colleges.
The general conference officially opened that afternoon with the 2021 CSCC Presidential Address, featuring a prerecorded conversation between CSCC President Dr. Regina Garza Mitchell and Dr. Rufus Glasper, president and CEO of the League for Innovation in the Community College. During the interview, Glasper reflected on his personal and professional journey while discussing the transformative power of education.
The remainder of the afternoon featured roundtable discussions on topics including community college mentoring programs, the experiences of women faculty members, and approaches to advancing equity and justice in urban community college settings.
To conclude the first day, attendees gathered virtually for networking and community-building events, including the CSCC Opening Reception, Mentor-Mentee Exchange, and receptions hosted by 2021 Double Diamond Sponsors Arrupe College of Loyola University Chicago and Mississippi State University.
Day Two: Scholarship, Leadership, and Celebration
The second day opened with a keynote address by Dr. Dhanfu E. Elston, chief of staff and senior vice president for strategy at Complete College America. Elston's presentation focused on college completion and highlighted ways institutions can better support students in achieving their educational goals.
Throughout the day, concurrent paper sessions showcased emerging scholarship across a broad spectrum of community college issues, including racialized experiences in higher education, career and technical education, developmental education, transfer and transition, marginalized student populations, data use, leadership, COVID-19, and career pathway development.
The afternoon featured the annual CSCC Awards Ceremony, hosted by Dr. Zamani-Gallaher. During the event, former CSCC President Dr. Mark D'Amico introduced Dr. Evangela Oates as the recipient of the newly renamed Romano Dissertation of the Year Award.
Additional honorees included:
- Dr. Cliff Harbour – Senior Scholar Award
- Dr. Cristobal Salinas – Emerging Scholar Award
- Dr. Lauren Schudde – Emerging Scholar Award
- Dr. Marissa Vasquez – Research Grant Award
Four symposium sessions followed, bringing together experts to discuss entrepreneurial leadership, cultivating transfer-supportive cultures for Latino men, developing the next generation of community college leaders and researchers, and examining the intersection of finance, access, and equity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The day concluded with an open business meeting and a lively virtual happy hour featuring Eli Pabon, founder of Boston-based BOMBAntillana. Through music and storytelling, Pabon introduced participants to the history and cultural significance of Bomba. Attendees also enjoyed a musical performance by Dr. Theopolies "Theo" Moton, whose selection of classic tunes added energy and celebration to the evening.
Day Three: Looking Ahead
The final day began with the annual Publisher's Information Session, titled "Advancing Radical Possibilities for Community Colleges Through Publishing." Representatives from four academic journals provided insight into the publishing process while discussing emerging research areas that can help shape the future of the field.
Roundtable sessions continued throughout the morning and explored topics such as racial injustice during the pandemic, evolving faculty work responsibilities, entrepreneurship in career and technical prison education programs, women in executive leadership, student activism, and STEM identity development among community college students.
Three additional symposiums focused on advancing success for Latinx community college students, supporting formerly incarcerated students, and translating equity-centered policy into practice.
Following a brief break, participants reconvened for concurrent paper sessions examining community college missions, state policy influences, asset-based educational approaches, and STEM-related research and practice.
The conference concluded with a plenary session and a closed meeting of the CSCC Board of Directors, bringing to a close three days of meaningful dialogue, scholarship, and connection.
A Milestone Event for the CSCC Community
While the pandemic prevented members from gathering in person, the 62nd Annual CSCC Conference demonstrated the resilience and adaptability of the community college research field. Through innovative virtual programming, engaging discussions, and opportunities to reconnect with colleagues and forge new relationships, the conference successfully advanced critical conversations about equity, leadership, student success, and the future of community colleges.
More than a response to unprecedented circumstances, the first virtual CSCC conference served as a testament to the strength of the CSCC community and its shared commitment to imagining and advancing radical possibilities for community colleges.