This chapter provides an overview of the historical roles and contemporary educational challenges and opportunities for African American women.

Community colleges are often viewed as bridging the gap in baccalaureate degree attainment for many students. Following the 1970s decline, the transfer rate has remained low during the 1980s and 1990s, ranging between 20 and 25 percent. The literature suggests that community colleges can reinforce their position in the educational pipeline by emphasizing transfer within their home institutions (Palmer, 1987; Prager, 1992). Recent legislation and foundation activities support collaborations and partnerships between institutional two-and four-year institutions as a means of enhancing the transfer rate. One way that community colleges have sought to augment transfer rates, address barriers, and better facilitate transition between the two tiers has been through the development of transfer centers and institutes.

This chapter reports literature from the ERIC system that highlights issues and concerns regarding minority student retention and learning success within community colleges. Factors contributing to declining retention rates and effective programming strategies designed to address continued participation of students of color are discussed.

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