**About the Conference:

Community Colleges as Engines of Social Mobility**

Community colleges have long stood as a cornerstone of educational access, equity, and opportunity. As open-access institutions, they provide millions of students (especially those from underserved, first-generation, immigrant, and working-class backgrounds) with the tools to advance their education, develop workforce-ready skills, and climb the economic ladder. By reducing equity gaps and offering ladders of opportunity into the middle class, community colleges are not only shaping individual lives but also strengthening the civic and economic vitality of our communities.

This year’s conference, Community Colleges as Engines of Social Mobility, invites educators, scholars, policymakers, and industry partners to reflect on the transformative role two-year colleges play in expanding opportunity. Together, we will explore innovative teaching practices, partnerships, and institutional strategies that position community colleges as drivers of both personal advancement and societal progress. By sharing research, best practices, and lived experiences, we aim to celebrate the profound impact of our sector while envisioning bold new pathways forward

Presented February 20th, 2026, Session I, 9:45 AM—10:40 AM

Presentation Abstract

“Communications” is often thought of as a noun, representing the messages we receive on a daily basis from people, brands, and institutions alike. "Communications" is also often associated with an industry that exists to produce such messaging in service of capitalism, with a commercial or otherwise actionable outcome desired from its receiving audience. This presentation, hosted by two-time CCNY graduate and senior marketing communications professional and Assistant Professor Javier Garcia, will examine the urgency and opportunity in rethinking the value and study of marketing and communications. In his presentation, Professor Garcia will offer suggestions on how to guide students towards fulfilling careers that sit at the intersection of an evolving industry, cultural landscape, and societal set of behaviors, by channeling our labor towards supporting the commune and prioritizing the humanity in how we reach and build relationships with audiences in an increasingly fragmented, competitive, and isolated world. Communications exists in, and is essential to, the operations of arguably every industry and occupation. But its potential to drive change in our societies is one of its most often forgotten abilities.

Why this presentation, and why now?

CCNY’s Advertising & Public Relations program - where Javier teaches - has existed exclusively as a 42-Credit BA in Communications over its 40 years at CCNY. The program will soon begin offering a Minor by long and popular demand.

This new offering lends itself to an expansive number of interdisciplinary opportunities for students, since the strategies and perspectives gained by developing an understanding of the marketing communications industry and its practices work will strengthen how students show up in their fields of choice and put their knowledge to use. Equal parts lecture and interactive, attendees of this presentation will be encouraged to contribute to the dialogue with live polling, Q&A, interjection opportunities, and other interactive presentation elements, Attendees will also receive supplemental readings, resources, and contacts to support them in their academic and professional pursuits.

Presenter

Javier Garcia, Professor, Media & Communication Arts, Advertising & Public Relations Program, The City College of New York

Link to Deck:

[https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1d2vs4kJC9xItMdD5Td75gPvgE4U5r0RM/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=109864308615227590169&rtpof=true&sd=true](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1d2vs4kJC9xItMdD5Td75gPvgE4U5r0RM/preview?usp=sharing&ouid=109864308615227590169&rtpof=true&sd=true)

Reading List & Resources

READ: The Medici Effect by Frans Johansson - https://amzn.to/4rLq3vL