San José City College (SJCC), like many community colleges, recognizes the need to better serve residents in its service area, especially adult learners and those in low-wage jobs who could benefit most from a college education. To reach adult learners in East San José, a neighborhood that higher education has long overlooked, SJCC partnered with California Competes to think creatively about how to bring local community members to the table not only to better understand their needs, but to codesign the programs and supports they need to be successful. Rather than relying on institutional perspectives and existing models, this effort centers the voices and experiences of these residents, engaging them as partners throughout the design process.
Together with local community partners and residents, we are developing new pathways to and through college designed by and tailored specifically for this population. This collaborative approach aims to address residents’ needs holistically, through culturally responsive program design while building community ownership of the solutions. The goal is to build a sustainable college model that promotes economic mobility for residents and long-term economic vitality in East San José and beyond.
Thank you to the Kresge Foundation and Sobrato Philanthropies for supporting this work.
