The Community College Research Center (CCRC), housed within the Teachers College, Columbia University, is an independent research organization funded entirely by grants from foundations, government agencies, and other organizations. CCRC's mission is to conduct research that helps community colleges strengthen opportunities and improve outcomes for their students, particularly those from underserved populations.
CCRC was established in 1996 with support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. At the time, little was known about two-year public colleges despite the fact that they enrolled nearly half of the nation’s undergraduates.
As an outgrowth of their research, CCRC has a new book, More Essential Than Ever (August 2025), that covers a decade of learning translated into practical applications. CCRC also contributes to higher education research, policy, and practice in the following focus areas: