The studies presented in this volume of New Directions for Community Colleges aim to foster a better understanding of the ways in which community colleges provide Latino students with educational access and opportunity. State and federal policy has increasingly looked to the community college to educate Latinos-the largest minority group in the United States-and other students traditionally underrepresented in higher education. Indeed, Latinos enroll in community colleges at rates higher than those for any other racial or ethnic group. Although research has been done to study the influence of various contributors to Latino opportunity, such as immigration policy, language, and academic opportunity, the profound and confounding influence of these factors remains underexplored. This volume provides and underscores the importance of serious scholarship towards this vital set of institutions and their students.
