A series of new federal and state investments are empowering community colleges across the U.S. to expand workforce development, improve student outcomes, and close access gaps.
In north Texas, a $5.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor is fueling the PATH (Partners in Advancing Talent in Healthcare) project—a regional initiative led by Dallas College in partnership with Tarrant County College, Navarro College, Hill College, and the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council. The four-year effort aims to improve health care training pipelines and increase access for students from underserved communities.
“This is what barrier-busting business looks like: collaboration across institutions, innovation in workforce development, and a shared commitment to equity and access in health care,” Dallas College Chancellor Justin H. Lonon told Community College Daily.
The program will offer targeted training, create new career pathways, and provide more than $1.3 million in tuition assistance. It is expected to serve thousands of students through 2029.
In Kentucky, Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKYCTC) received a $1.36 million grant through the U.S. Education Department’s TRIO Student Support Services (TRIO SSS) program. The funding will support 140 first-generation, low-income, and disabled students annually. SKYCTC also operates two other TRIO programs—Educational Opportunity Centers and Upward Bound Math and Science—offering academic support from high school through college graduation.
Illinois’ Sandburg College, recently renamed from Carl Sandburg College, secured $1.8 million to launch the 518 Collective, an agriculture tech incubator in downtown Galesburg. “The 518 Collective will be more than a building; it’ll be a collaborative space where farmers, founders, students, and industry partners can innovate side by side,” said Eric Johnson, vice president of advancement.
In Massachusetts, Middlesex Community College received $200,000 from the Cummings Foundation to support students in its entrepreneurship programs. The funds will provide mentorship, financial aid, and business development resources.
Other institutions receiving TRIO SSS grants include Central Community College in Nebraska ($1.53 million), SUNY Westchester Community College in New York ($306,514), and Zane State College in Ohio ($272,364). Each campus plans to use the funding to offer personalized student services like tutoring, counseling, and career exploration.
“These grants are not just investments in institutions—they are investments in students who need support the most,” said Zane State’s Chief Student Affairs Officer Heather Merry. “It means we can continue offering personalized support that helps students persist, graduate, and step into meaningful careers.”
