Community colleges are emerging as a vital resource for training the next generation of manufacturing workers, offering accessible and affordable programs closely aligned with local industry needs. A series of reports from the Rutgers Education and Employment Research Center highlights community colleges' ability to quickly develop specialized courses and provide job placement support, making them a strong alternative to traditional apprenticeship programs.

Auctioneers like Lydia Fenet, the founder and CEO of the Lydia Fenet Agency, are known for talking fast, but Fenet writes that silence is the secret weapon to commanding a room, something leaders can put into practice by being quiet after making their point, not talking over a loud room and allowing silence to become uncomfortable to prompt engagement. "The one who jumps to fill every uncomfortable silence often reveals the most. The one who sits in the quiet controls the pace," Fenet writes.

AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Esslo are increasingly supporting school counselors by automating administrative duties and streamlining communication. Counselors such as Shana Russell and Jeffrey Neill leverage these technologies to draft emails, synthesize teacher feedback, and provide actionable essay reviews. Specialized tools like College Genie and Esslo also offer personalized support for college admissions and essay refinement, enabling counselors to provide timely, individualized feedback even when managing large caseloads.

Colleges are working to support students facing food insecurity as grocery prices rise and meal plan balances dwindle ahead of winter break. At Penn State Harrisburg, the campus food pantry has seen a significant increase in visits, with 367 students utilizing the service in November alone. The pantry, managed by Aimee Wheeler and stocked by the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, provides not only food but also essential items, such as toiletries.