The Fight to Save the City College of San Francisco

Veterans struggling to find full-time employment now have another service at their disposal. The Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) was originally created as part of the 2011 VOW to Hire Heroes Act, and it helped veterans receive training in a variety of high-demand industries through local trade schools and community colleges. While the original VRAP initiative has expired, veterans in 2026 can still access expanded workforce training opportunities through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the GI Bill, and the Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program.

What is VOW and VRAP?

According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 was designed to offer a smoother transition to veterans exiting military service and preparing to work in the private sector. The program was signed into law by President Obama and funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Veterans Retraining Assistance Program was created through a joint effort between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Labor.

As originally structured, VRAP trained more than 99,000 veterans for high-demand jobs through technical schools and community colleges nationwide. Today, workforce retraining remains a major focus at community colleges, many of which continue expanding short-term credential and career certification programs for veterans and adult learners. Community colleges have increasingly partnered with regional employers to provide workforce-aligned training in health care, information technology, manufacturing, logistics, and skilled trades.

Recent reporting from Community College Review highlights how

Education is frequently touted as the great equalizer in today’s society, but a number of educators are now suggesting the education system may not be doing its job in effectively reducing disparities. Recent studies also seem to support these claims, offering evidence in the form of standardized test scores and college completion rates that suggest all things may not be created equal in the world of academia today. Does higher education at community colleges perpetuate this inequality, or is it the solution today’s society needs to reduce concerning disparities? The answer to that question may be yes on both counts.

In this video, Dr. Pedro Noguera discusses the role of community colleges in reducing racial inequality in education.

Colleges Increasing Access, Not Completion Rates

Inequality does not appear to be a result of restricted access to higher education opportunities. Since the recession, students have been heading to institutions of higher education in droves, whether to train for a new career or launch a successful field of study right out of high school. The increased enrollment at community colleges, in particular, has broadened the field to students from all economic and cultural backgrounds, guaranteeing a more diverse student body at many institutions across the country.

Unfortunately, the increased access to community colleges does not necessarily lead to higher completion rates. In fact, graduation rates at many community colleges are downright dismal – with less

Prospective college students that come from families where many have already forged the path through higher education have many resources at their disposal when it comes time to head to the college of their choice. In contrast, those who will be the first in their family to attend college do not have the same advantage of experience within the family to light the way. For those students, programs like Trio Upward Bound help them to understand what higher education is about and find the path through a college education that will benefit them most in the future. To that end, community colleges across the country offer Upward Bound programs to motivate students to explore higher education and determine the college path they want to take.

This video looks at the Harvey Mudd College Upward Bound program.

History of Trio Upward Bound

The origins of Upward Bound date back to the Educational Opportunity Act, which was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. According to the Council for Opportunity in Education, the experimental program was first introduced to reduce barriers faced by low-income and first-generation college students that created inequality in educational opportunities for those students. The program is offered through colleges, universities, and community colleges, and funds are distributed to individual programs through the issuance of competitive grants.

Upward Bound is just one of three programs that are

Transferring from a community college to a four-year institution can be a strategic step toward achieving your academic goals. Here are ten essential tips to ensure a smooth and successful transfer journey.

1. Explore Articulation Agreements

Articulation agreements are formal partnerships between community colleges and four-year universities that outline transferable courses and admission requirements. These agreements can simplify the transfer process and provide a clear academic pathway.

Key Points:

• Guarantee credit transfer for specific courses.
• May offer guaranteed admission if the criteria are met.
• Provide a roadmap for course selection.

This video explains how to transfer from a community college to a four-year institution.

1. Identify Your Academic Interests Early

Utilize your time at community college to explore various fields of study. Determining your major early can help in selecting appropriate courses that align with your intended bachelor's program.

Benefits:

• Streamlines course selection.
• Ensures prerequisites are met.

• Enhances transfer application strength.

• Initiate Transfer Planning Early

Begin researching potential four-year institutions and their transfer requirements as soon as possible. Early planning allows for better course alignment and meeting application deadlines.

Action Steps:

• Attend transfer fairs and information sessions.
• Consult with admissions counselors.
• Review application timelines and requirements.

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation offers suggestions on how to transfer from community college to a four-year college.

1. Research and Select the Right Four-Year Institution

Not all universities offer the