Micro-pathways
A gateway to community college transformation
100+ micro-pathways co-created with colleges, learners, and employers through the Lab’s Community College Growth Engine since 2021.
What is a micro-pathway?
Co-designed with learners and employers, micro-pathways are two or more stackable credentials, including a durable skills micro-credential, that are flexibly delivered to be achieved within less than a year and result in a job at or above the local median wage, and start learner-earners on the path to an associate degree.
Empowering community college transformation with Micro-pathways
Leading the nation and their regions in creating micro-pathways with employers with over 200+ New Models
The first Community College Growth Engine cohort developed 30 micro-pathways from October 2020 to December 2021. Most of the colleges focused on meeting the needs of adult learners, as nationally we witnessed the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on displacing many from their jobs and incomes.
Each micro-pathway provides entry and exit points to a clear career path and to securing a sustainable job with options for growth. Selected occupations are based on regional demand, and depending on state and/or regional economic development conditions, some are more focused on emerging industries and occupations.
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View StoryHow micro-pathways are transforming CUNY’s Borough of Manhattan Community College
This is part of an ongoing Transformation Profile series spotlighting innovative partners in the Community College Growth Engine (CCGE) initiative at the Education Design Lab.More…
View StoryHow micro-pathways are transforming CUNY’s Kingsborough Community College
This is part of an ongoing Transformation Profile series spotlighting innovative partners in the Community College Growth Engine (CCGE) initiative at the Education Design Lab.More…
View StoryHow micro-pathways are transforming CUNY’s LaGuardia Community College
This is part of an ongoing Transformation Profile series spotlighting innovative partners in the Community College Growth Engine (CCGE) initiative at the Education Design Lab.More…
View StoryHow micro-pathways are transforming CUNY’s Queensborough Community College
This is part of an ongoing Transformation Profile series spotlighting innovative partners in the Community College Growth Engine (CCGE) initiative at the Education Design Lab.More…
Learning + Resources
PublicationTransforming Community Colleges: 5 Design Questions to Shape the Future of Learning
This June 2023 thought paper focuses on five key design questions, examples, and resources to support community colleges through this transformative moment.- Publication
Design Insights Brief: Community College Growth Engine Micro-pathways: A Gateway to Community College Transformation
Design Insights: An Education Design Lab publication series. 
ResourceA Community College’s Guide to Engaging Employers
Education Design Lab’s updated and revised employer engagement guidebook offers practical ideas for building stronger relationships between employers and community colleges.
Press + Media
Higher Ed Dive: Why community colleges should embrace depth over breadth
Community colleges are under pressure to do more with less, and a new op-ed from our partners in Colorado shows what it looks like to go deeper instead of broader as a strategy for boosting economic…View Story
Watch this Chronicle webinar on demand: Scaling workforce innovation
Education Design Lab's Dr. Rachel Kahn, who is scaling stackable micro-pathways with community colleges across the U.S., joined a panel discussion hosted by the Chronicle of Higher Education. In this April 2026 virtual forum, Scaling…View Story
Watch on demand: How can colleges keep up with the AI job market?
This is definitely a question that keeps us up at night: How can higher education keep pace with the rapid changes to the job market and set up their learner-earners for career success? Don Fraser,…View Story
What’s the most important factor in designing college programs?
It's the learner voice, according to Dr. Janet Spriggs, president of Forsyth Technical Community College in North Carolina. In her op-ed published by CCDaily earlier this month, Dr. Spriggs explains how their human-centered design work…View Story
