AACC is the primary advocacy organization for the nation's community colleges. The Association represents more than 1,100 associate degree-granting institutions and more than 11 million students, and works to build a nation of learners by advancing America's community colleges. As a Founding Partner to Achieving the Dream, AACC helps recruit and select participating colleges; co-hosts D.R.E.A.M.
Founding Partners
CCLP, established in 1944 in the Department of Educational Administration at The University of Texas at Austin, is the nation's oldest doctoral program, with a primary focus on the preparation of key community college leaders. More than 600 students have graduated from the program since its inception, with over 500 in the past 40 years. As a Founding Partner organization to Achieving the Dream, CCLP recruits and deploys coaches and oversees their work; and co-leads the Kick-Off Institute for each round of new colleges.
CCRC conducts research on the major issues affecting community colleges in the United States and contributes to the development of practice and policy that expands access to higher education and ensures success for all students. CCRC's extensive body of research provides a strong foundation on which to build new policies and initiatives to improve the outcomes of these institutions so integral to the higher education system, employment landscape, and national economy.
JFF identifies, develops, and promotes new education and workforce strategies that help communities, states, and the nation compete in a global economy. In 200 communities in 41 states, JFF improves the pathways leading from high school to college to family-sustaining careers.
MDC is a nonprofit organization based in Chapel Hill, N.C., that has been publishing research and developing programs focused on expanding opportunity, reducing poverty, and addressing structural inequity for more than 40 years. Its focus is on: defining gaps and mobilizing leaders to create a will for change; demonstrating sustainable solutions and developing them into effective models; and then incubating them so they can be replicated at scale for maximum impact.
MDRC is dedicated to learning what works to improve the well-being of low-income people. Through research and the active communication of the findings, MDRC seeks to enhance the effectiveness of social policies and programs. Formerly the “Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation,” MDRC is a Founding Partner to Achieving the Dream.
Public Agenda, for over 30 years, has been providing unbiased and unparalleled research that bridges the gap between American leaders and what the public really thinks about issues ranging from education to foreign policy to immigration to religion and civility in American life. Nonpartisan and nonprofit, Public Agenda has a two-fold mission: to help American leaders better understand the public's point of view and to help citizens know more about critical policy issues so they can make thoughtful, informed decisions.
