From Backup Plan To Backbone: Why Community Colleges Are Built For The AI Era

In the age of AI, the most critical skill isn’t coding—it’s communication. Not just between people and technology, but between industries, systems and institutions. The gap between where AI is headed and how education is preparing workers is growing rapidly.

But what if the ideal model for a rapidly changing workforce—affordable, flexible, skills-focused—already exists? It does: It’s the community college.

Yet, community colleges are often overlooked in discussions about AI and workforce development. We underestimate their potential, despite their agility, innovation and direct alignment with the demands of the future economy.

A Mission Built For Today's Moment

Community colleges were never about chasing prestige; they were always about practical solutions. The 1947 Truman Commission envisioned institutions deeply connected to local economies—responsive, pragmatic and relevant.

That mission matters today more than ever.

As I work with academic leaders nationwide, it’s clear these colleges aren’t scrambling to catch up; they’re already out front. Yet, they often lack the resources to effectively communicate their role as leaders in developing tomorrow’s workforce. That’s something we need to address.

Modular Learning: Already Their Strength

We often treat short-form education and stackable credentials as groundbreaking ideas. But at community colleges, they’re standard operating procedure.

Between 2021 and 2022, microcredential enrollments grew 95%. From what I've seen in this space, degrees are rapidly becoming optional.

Community colleges consistently deliver short-term certificates, evening classes, weekend boot camps and flexible programs directly aligned with industry needs. I've facilitated workshops where faculty and employers collaboratively developed AI-related curricula in weeks—not semesters.

If you're looking for best practices in workforce disruption, community colleges offer a clear blueprint: modular, fast and employer-driven.

The Speed And Cost Advantage

Community colleges are built for speed and relevance—they can stand up industry-aligned programs in a matter of months. Students are taught by instructors with direct experience in the field, ensuring they gain skills that match today’s workforce needs, not theory.

Executives frequently ask me, “How can we quickly build an AI-ready workforce?” Often, the answer isn’t flashy new platforms; it’s leveraging existing networks at community colleges already embedded in their communities. These opportunities just haven’t been fully utilized yet.

In the industry, I've noticed what I call "the great disconnect" (I even noted this in my newsletter, The Dean of AI): Many educational institutions prioritize degrees while employers increasingly reward fluency with emerging technology skills. According to PwC’s 2025 AI Jobs Barometer, roles requiring AI skills command a 56% wage premium, even as total job postings decline and degree requirements drop sharply.

Community colleges aren't retrofitting—they've always been positioned exactly where the workforce is heading.

Positioned For Those Most At Risk

Community colleges uniquely serve populations vulnerable to automation and economic shifts, as reported by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES): nearly one-third of their students are over age 25, more than half are financially independent, and 90% attend campuses within 50 miles of their homes.

You can't realistically ask a single parent working multiple jobs to relocate for training. But you can offer targeted programs nearby, taught by industry-experienced professionals and aligned directly to evolving job markets.

Underestimated Innovators: The Startup Parallel

Historically seen as fallback options, community colleges face perception challenges similar to those startups once faced. Decades ago, startups were underestimated as scrappy outsiders rather than transformative leaders. Today, they define entire industries.

Community colleges occupy a similar space: quietly reinventing how education aligns with workforce evolution. From my vantage point—working across government, academia and business—I've seen firsthand how these institutions sit at the intersection of rapid transformation and economic reality.

Job Disruption: Clear Data, Urgent Need

As mentioned in the PWC report, AI isn’t just altering tasks; it’s dismantling entire career pathways:

• Nearly half of entry-level white-collar jobs could disappear within five years, potentially driving unemployment significantly higher.

• Recent college graduates aged 22 to 27 currently face about 5.8% unemployment, compared to approximately 4% across all workers.

• Globally, 92 million jobs may disappear by 2030, even as 170 million new roles emerge, demanding entirely different skills.

• In the U.S., approximately 30% of jobs could become fully automated by 2030, significantly impacting roles across industries.

This disruption isn’t theoretical—it’s happening now.

Community Colleges Can—And Should—Lead

Community colleges are perfectly suited to respond quickly to workforce disruptions: local, agile and closely aligned with industry demands. Having worked with over 100 academic institutions across the world, while building cross-sector innovation programs for Fortune 100s, governments and nonprofits, I can confidently say few are as well-positioned to drive rapid, meaningful change.

Traveling across campuses, particularly in the Midwest, I’ve seen AI labs in converted classrooms, cybersecurity boot camps in community centers and training programs co-created with employers. These aren’t hypothetical pilots. They’re live, working examples of what’s possible when mission meets momentum.

This moment isn’t merely an opportunity to modernize—it’s a clear call to action. These institutions have the infrastructure, the mission alignment and the practical expertise. What they need now is decisive leadership and bold investment—from within and from surrounding ecosystems—to fully leverage their capabilities.

The critical question today isn’t whether community colleges are capable. It’s whether we collectively have the courage and vision to empower them fully.

I realize this may sound like an advertorial for community colleges. It isn’t. I’m simply shining a spotlight on an obvious but overlooked resource. When I launched the Innovation Centers at Cisco in the early days, our small team didn’t have big budgets or brand recognition. But we had speed, agility and a clear mission. That combination allowed us to lead. I see the same conditions—and the same potential—alive in today’s community colleges.

Sometimes the most impactful solutions aren’t flashy or new—they’re already in place, waiting to be recognized, empowered and fully utilized.

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