Many earlier attempts at education reform have failed, causing some critics to call for a much more expansive wave of reform in which learning becomes a central focus. O'Banion presents an argument for the community college, with its strong penchant for innovation and risk-taking, as the ideal forum for creating this new learning paradigm. He proposes a provocative new concept called "the learning college," which is designed to help students make passionate connections to learning. The book describes in detail the six key principles that form the definition and character of a learning college. Emerging models of this concept are already in place at a handful of community colleges, and six of these pioneering institutions share their initial journeys in this book. O'Banion provides a practical guide for community college leaders who are preparing their institutions to enter the 21st century.

Leading specialists in academic advising describe five programs that have been judged by a national panel as among the most outstanding or exemplary in the country. Also includes an updated version of the original 1972 "O'Banion model" and data from the Center for Community College Student Engagement.