Community College Series

This volume brings together global case studies, innovative curricula, and collaborative strategies that equip students for today’s interconnected economy. This volume explores how community colleges and similar institutions integrate enduring skills, technology, and experiential learning to prepare graduates for career success. Highlighting models from diverse regions, it offers adaptable approaches for educators, policymakers, and industry leaders committed to building a skilled and globally competent workforce. Edited by Robin Matross Helms & Krishna Bista How to cite: Helms, R. M., & Bista, K. (Eds.). (2025). Preparing a global workforce: Curriculum design and learning outcomes . Association of Community College Trustees & STAR Scholars Press. Download eBook Here

This volume highlights effective policies, frameworks, and practices that strengthen community colleges and their global counterparts. It examines challenges and opportunities across diverse contexts, offering shared and context-specific solutions. The collection fosters collaborative pathways among institutions, industries, and governments to promote student success and socioeconomic development. Featuring contributions from trustees, presidents, scholars, and practitioners, the book amplifies the visibility of this vital educational sector and advances the global discourse on community college models. Editors: Robin Matross Helms, Ph.D., Vice President for Membership and Educational Services, Association of Community College Trustees Krishna Bista, EdD, CEO & Executive Vice President, STAR Scholars Network Download your copies here . Table of Contents Editors’ Introduction Robin Matross Helms and Krishna Bista The Global “College Sector”: Definitions, Characteristics, and Challenges Rosalind Latiner Raby and Edward J. Valeau Pioneering Skills for Tomorrow: Croatia’s Regional Centers of Competence Lucia Brajkovic “Respected and Growing”: Technical Education in Colombia Thomas Milligan South African Community Colleges: The Impact of South Africa’s TVET Sector on the Development of South Africa Birgit Schreiber Foundations and Evolution of Community Technical Colleges in Malawi Mastano N. Dzimbiri Regional Approaches: TVET in the South African Development Community Birgit Schreiber Life-Long and Open Learning Centers in the Syrian Arab Republic Ranwa Khorsheed Community Colleges in Pakistan: Promoting Access and Quality Education Aisha Naz Ansari, Sohail Ahmad, and Sadia Muzaffar Bhutta Can We Fill the Seats Next Year? Challenges Facing Two-Year Colleges in South Korea Jungmin Lee Igniting Innovation: Lessons Learned from U.S. Community College Leadership Julius Fleschner and Michael Lanford

Global Partnerships: Successes and Strategies brings together a rich collection of articles that illuminate how meaningful international collaborations are built, sustained, and transformed over time. Written from a wide range of institutional perspectives, the volume offers in-depth case studies alongside conceptual pieces that unpack the philosophical foundations of global engagement. Contributors share concrete lessons learned, practical guidance, and candid reflections that shed light on both the opportunities and challenges inherent in international partnership work.  A consistent theme across the volume is the importance of flexibility, resilience, and relationship-building. The articles highlight the pivotal roles of individual champions, institutional leaders, and campus-wide support systems in advancing enduring partnerships. Readers will also find compelling stories of unexpected growth, as collaborations evolve into broader activities such as joint lectures, virtual exchanges, and community engagement initiatives. While focused on institution-to-institution partnerships, the volume underscores the power of wider community involvement—an area in which community colleges and similar institutions excel.  Download the ebook here Table of Contents Editors’ Introduction Robin Matross Helms and Krishna Bista Cultivating Wonder: Curriculum, Context, and Connection Wojciech (Voytek) Wloch Cloud Forest Collaboration: Linn-Benton Community College’s Costa Rica Exchange Partnership Lisa Avery and Katie Winder An Enduring Relational Partnership: A 30-Year Global Collaboration between McLennan Community College and Masaryk University Amy Antoninka and Johnette McKown Impactful Collaborations: Using Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) to Facilitate Meaningful Connections Across Borders at the Alamo Colleges District Lindsey Kline Mapping Global Partnerships: The Case of Symbiosis Skills Universities and Aalen University Swati Mujumdar Building Strategic Partnerships for Global Education at Monroe Community College: A Case Study with Cornell University’s Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies Christina Heyon Lee Establishing Dynamics for Successful Growth of Global Engagement Partnerships: A Step-by-Step Approach Stacye Fraser Thompson