Research and Innovation

Calbright is not just a community college – it’s a research institution dedicated to building and testing practices that help working age adults achieve their higher education and career goals. Think of us as a lab school, charged with reimagining college to better support “stranded workers,” keeping track of impactful and promising practices, and sharing our findings with other institutions.

To do that, we use student and equity centered approaches to test new tools, practices and systems. We listen to and engage directly with students to develop prototypes and rapid-cycle test solutions to address the barriers they face, and measure outcomes – not just once, but routinely. We adapt and scale what works centering equitable outcomes and a seamless experience for our students.

Some of the practices we develop address systemic challenges, like how much college costs and what kinds of programs it offers. Others are focused on nuts-and-bolts procedures, like how often students have academic check-ins and how to design systems to support them throughout their student journey. Some involve getting students through the doors, some involve keeping them on track once they get here, and some involve supporting their job searches and connecting them with employers once they’ve gained in-demand, durable skills.

As a new kind of college, Calbright’s efforts, from big picture to small details, can be used by other institutions seeking to better support adult students.