Community colleges provide life-changing opportunities for students from all backgrounds, and this article highlights five powerful examples. These students demonstrate how community colleges serve as accessible, affordable launch pads for academic achievement and career success. Their stories show the critical role these institutions play in expanding opportunity, supporting persistence, and helping students build strong foundations…
In this article, Dr. Lynn Tincher‑Ladner highlights how community college transfers often underestimate their own potential—and how institutions must do more to help them recognize their value. She argues that these students bring unique strengths to four-year institutions, and that colleges should provide clear pathways and credit mobility. Ultimately, the article makes the case that…
In this article, Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner unpacks the 2019 nationwide college-admissions scandal, clarifying that while the headline-grabbing fraud involved wealthy parents bribing coaches and manipulating test scores, the deeper issue lies in the structural advantages wealthy applicants already hold—meaning that the scandal shines a spotlight on pre-existing inequalities in the system rather than creating them…
Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner highlights current community college students who are making significant strides—both academically and in leadership—during Black History Month, celebrating how their achievements not only honor the legacy of Black history but actively shape the present and future of higher education. The article serves as a reminder that the contributions of Black learners are…
In this piece, Lynn Tincher‑Ladner examines the growing challenge of keeping dual-enrolled high school students engaged in community colleges beyond their initial courses. She shares insights that identify key strategies: involving college faculty early in dual-enrollment experiences to build meaningful relationships, actively combating the stigma that community colleges are “lesser” choices, and fostering a strong…
Dr. Lynn Tincher‑Ladner reflects on the persistent equity gaps facing Black students in community colleges—citing that only 28 % of Black students complete college within six years, with a dropout rate roughly 50 %. She argues that meaningful change demands intentional, holistic supports—beyond academics—that foster belonging, mentorship, and social-engagement.
Dr. Lynn Tincher‑Ladner argues that while community colleges are often undervalued, they play a crucial role as affordable, accessible, and high-quality institutions—therefore it’s vital to empower students not just to attend but to advocate for them. She highlights how PTK’s Founders Medal Award challenges students to reflect on the question “Why is community college a…
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) President & CEO Lynn Tincher‑Ladner outlines how PTK is equipping its members to become advocates for the Pell Grant program by launching the “Advocacy Edge” online course and a new advocacy center platform. With nearly half of its members eligible for Pell Grants, PTK is calling on students to use their…
Dr. Lynn Tincher‑Ladner shares practical guidance for college leaders on how to integrate artificial intelligence into everyday workflows—emphasizing that AI isn’t just a futuristic trend, but a tool that can help under-resourced institutions do more with less. She discusses how administrators can begin by treating AI as a collaborator rather than a replacement. Ultimately, she…