The American Dream: Community Colleges Meet Each and Every Student Where They Are

Community colleges have long been a vital part of the American higher education system. At Forsyth Tech, and at more than 1100 community colleges across our country, our guiding North Star is simple yet profound: to meet every student where they are and take them as far as they can go.

In these times, where almost everything feels charged and up for debate, it’s important to underscore that education is everyone’s right and opportunity. At community colleges, offering support that meets students from all walks of life isn’t about favoring one person over another—it’s about ensuring every individual who walks through our doors can succeed, contribute to our workforce and economy, and reach their full potential. It’s also about recognizing that each student’s circumstances are unique, and truly meeting them where they are means providing the right kind of support for each student to help them truly take advantage of what education offer

Meeting Students Where They Are

One of the strengths of community colleges is our flexibility. We welcome:

• Recent high school graduates seeking affordable routes to a bachelor’s degree or career training.

• Working adults juggling jobs, family responsibilities, and the desire to upskill or change careers.

• Active military and Veterans transitioning back into civilian life.

• Parents and caregivers who need courses offered at convenient times.

• Individuals seeking short-term workforce credentials to secure higher-wage, in-demand jobs quickly.

Some might question whether our programs or supports create any sort of “unfair advantage” for any group. In reality, providing resources like academic tutoring, mental health counseling, advising, or financial assistance is about ensuring all students gain the skills and knowledge they need to thrive. Fairness doesn’t require offering everyone identical resources; it requires giving everyone the specific help they need to succeed.

For instance, one of the greatest barriers for many lower-income adult learners is finding and affording childcare. To address this, we partnered with a local childcare provider and secured financial support from a private donor. Together, we are able to offer vouchers for drop-in childcare, giving student parents the flexibility to stay in school and keep moving toward their educational goals.

Strengthening Our Workforce

Community colleges play an equally pivotal role for businesses and industries. Employers need skilled workers. In North Carolina, we are experiencing workforce gaps across many business sectors, particularly in fields ranging from healthcare and advanced manufacturing to information technology and cybersecurity. Our workforce programs are developed in collaboration with local business leaders to ensure we are equipping students with the exact skills they need to fill real-world jobs. Here are just a few examples demonstrating the imperative for a strong, well-prepared workforce.

Advanced Manufacturing
Modern manufacturing isn’t just assembly lines. Today’s plants rely on robotics, computer-controlled machinery (CNC), and automated systems. Community colleges educate students on state-of-the-art equipment so they can step directly into roles like CNC technicians, mechatronics specialists, and quality assurance coordinators. These positions start in the range of $40,000–$50,000+ per year, with plenty of room for wage growth as individuals gain experience and specialized certifications.

Skilled Trades
Careers in welding, HVAC, electrical line-work, and automotive technology remain in high demand. Many of these roles offer competitive salaries with potential to reach $60,000 - $80,000 annually—or even more—after only a few years of experience. Short-term certificates can open the door to immediate employment, and hands-on experience through work-based learning and apprenticeships ensure graduates can do the job well from day one.

Short-term credentials, apprenticeships, and associate degrees bridge the skills gap, preparing graduates for high-demand careers and supporting employers who are eager for well-trained talent. When local industries can hire locally trained, career-ready professionals, entire regions, states and our nation benefit. Growing businesses create more jobs, and that financial ripple effect supports stronger, healthier communities.

This collaborative approach unites the goals of education with the immediate needs of our local and national economy — another example of a non-political common-sense solution that benefits everyone.

A Shared Vision, Beyond Politics

When we talk about “equity” and “opportunity,” it can sound political — yet I believe these are core American values that should unite us rather than divide us. Making sure each person has a fair shot at a quality education or a training program that leads to a living-wage career is not about advancing anyone or any one group over another. It’s about recognizing the inherent potential in every individual, empowering them to rise to that potential, and in so doing, creating an educated, well-prepared, productive and thriving workforce.

• Inclusive, Not Exclusive: Offering tailored supports for students does not mean excluding anyone; it means addressing individual needs so that more people can contribute meaningfully to society.

• An Investment in Our Future: At community colleges nationwide — we view student success as essential to our country’s long-term stability, prosperity, and innovation.

Moving Forward Together

America’s greatest strength lies in our capacity to come together around shared goals: stronger families, thriving businesses, and vibrant communities. The commitment of community colleges — to meet every student where they are — is one of the most concrete, effective ways we uphold these goals. When our graduates walk across that stage, diploma in hand, they do so knowing they have created a pathway out of poverty, toward a better job, or onto further education. And that’s an accomplishment we should all celebrate.

Education is an imperative for a thriving society — it empowers individuals and fuels our workforce. It changes lives — it changed mine. Thanks to the personalized supports I received as a low-income, first-generation adult learner, attending school part-time while raising a family and working full-time, I was able to access opportunities I once believed were out of reach. My story is a testament to the American Dream — and it is the very reason I’ve spent nearly three decades meeting students where they are, helping each one overcome barriers, and guiding them to realize their own potential through education.

Together, we must keep the American Dream alive, ensuring that every individual has the chance to learn, grow, and succeed.