When COVID-19 arrived in 2020, community colleges were already adapting to myriad political, economic, social, cultural and technological shifts.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution accelerated disruptive innovations in automation, robotics, 3D printing, artificial intelligence, machine learning and others. Social justice movements progressed from calls for representation to outcries for justice and equity. The increased momentum caused by these dynamics made ubiquitous online learning, rapid the transition to remote work, and efforts to hear, value and act upon user experiences the status quo.
Amidst the turmoil of civil unrest and a deadly pandemic confounding an already fluctuating landscape, community colleges can and must remain relevant and transformative. Committing to institutional sustainability and preparing students to succeed in an ever-evolving world invite exploration of new models for current and future practice. Community colleges can use “agile” to flourish in this enduring and relentless pace of change.
What is agile?
Agile originated in software technology development teams, which used the principles to deliver more features to customers faster. Later, businesses used agile for broader engagement and quicker efficiency. Agile transcends cross-functional participation and promotes a new standard of integrated teams as co-creators. Agile teams are differentiated by their strategies, structures, processes, people and next-generation technology.
Community colleges have thrived on traditional hierarchical models, with people divided into specialized functional units and managed accordingly. Agile offers a 21st century alternative: dynamic networks of small, multidisciplinary, purpose-driven and often virtual teams that focus on student experiences rather than administrative processes, performance objectives rather than tasks. Not wholly autonomous, these teams are typically unencumbered by bureaucratic oversight.
How does agile work?
