Continuing Progress: How Urban Community Colleges Are Improving Outcomes for Minority Men (2019)

Community colleges have an important role in supporting economic opportunity in urban areas. While urban areas generally experience high levels of economic prosperity, especially compared to rural areas, individuals who have not participated in postsecondary education and training face barriers to taking full advantage of the opportunities available. Low educational attainment and a resulting lack of economic opportunity are problems that negatively impact both men and women in America’s cities; however, because they are less likely to enroll in postsecondary education, the authors focus specifically on men in this report. This report also pays attention to the barriers faced by men of color, who are disproportionately impacted by barriers to postsecondary education. In recent years, community colleges have made strides to improve educational attainment and success for men of color, yet still have more opportunity to support this student population.