TY  - JOUR
AB  - As promise programs have become increasingly popular at community colleges, these institutions have either created or repurposed student services for their promise students, in addition to covering their tuition and fees. Using a multiple case study design, we interviewed 32 community college administrators and analyzed documents to understand how support services associated with promise programs are implemented at community colleges. We found that community colleges were able to capitalize on the localized nature of programs to facilitate a smoother transition between high school and college, but that services were largely shaped by institutional constraints and capacity. Practitioners exercised their discretion to revamp services based on lessons learned during implementation, shifts in the operating environment, and student feedback.
AU  - Billings, Meredith
AU  - Li, Amy
AU  - Gandara, Denisa
PY  - 2026
ST  - “A Ragtag Team of Like[-Minded] Individuals Who Are Willing to Help”: The Implementation and Evolution of Student Support Services at Community Colleges with Promise Programs
TI  - “A Ragtag Team of Like[-Minded] Individuals Who Are Willing to Help”: The Implementation and Evolution of Student Support Services at Community Colleges with Promise Programs
UR  - http://www.edworkingpapers.com/ai26-1529
ER  -