This book does an excellent job of laying out the major issues that face students as they move through the community college and of thoughtfully assessing the state of evidence on noteworthy solutions that are being offered to address these issues. The discussions of retention, developmental education, occupational education, transfer, and organizational change are sophisticated and yet very clear. Vanessa Morest brings a unique combination of skills and experiences to the analysis of the community college as both a well-established researcher and a senior administrator at a community college. This book is very solidly grounded both in research and theory and in concrete experience.

Kevin Dougherty, Teachers College, Columbia University

This is an excellent review of the challenges faced by community colleges and their students and current approaches to improving student success. I found the chapter on Organizational Change for Student Success particularly compelling because it addresses a complex subject that receives too little attention: the multiple and sometimes contradictory demands affecting colleges seeking transformational change. This book is a welcome addition to the literature, combining scholarly research with the realpolitik of a seasoned practitioner. It should be on the reading list of both veteran and aspiring community college leaders.

Trudy Bers, Executive Director, Research, Curriculum & Planning, Oakton Community College