Riverside City College Hosts Statewide Summit Advancing Educational Pathways for California's Adult Learners

More than 20 community colleges and statewide partners collaborate to strengthen workforce pathways and economic mobility

Riverside City College (RCC) welcomed higher education, workforce development, labor, and adult education leaders from across California on June 24 for the 2026 United Domestic Workers (UDW) Demonstration Project Summit, a statewide gathering focused on expanding educational opportunities and career pathways for adult learners.

Hosted at RCC, the summit brought together representatives from more than 20 California community colleges alongside partners from United Domestic Workers (UDW), the UDW Resource Center (URC), the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office, WestEd, adult education programs, and workforce development organizations. Participants explored innovative strategies that help working adults overcome barriers to higher education while building pathways to family-sustaining careers.

“The work we are doing with UDW is central to not only Riverside City College’s core mission, but that of our system. Creating clear and accessible pathways for adult learners is central to the work we should be doing,” said Eric Bishop, Ed.D., president of Riverside City College. "Riverside City College is proud to serve as a convener for this important work, bringing together partners from across the state to strengthen collaboration and ensure that education remains a powerful driver of economic mobility."

The UDW Demonstration Project was established to improve coordination among community colleges, adult education providers, workforce agencies, and labor organizations by creating learner-centered pathways designed around the needs of working adults. The initiative focuses on reducing barriers to enrollment, providing comprehensive student support, and aligning educational programs with regional workforce needs.

Throughout the day, attendees examined emerging data from the demonstration project, participated in discussions on adult learner success, and explored innovative practices being implemented across participating colleges. Topics included noncredit-to-credit transitions, adult learner navigation, vocational English as a Second Language (VESL) programs, case management, workforce alignment, credit for prior learning, and regional partnerships that connect education to employment opportunities.

Riverside City College highlighted its own adult learner support model, showcasing its Welcome Center and dedicated navigation services that streamline enrollment, connect students with campus resources, and provide individualized guidance from initial interest through persistence and completion.

The summit also featured a panel of adult learners who shared personal stories about returning to college, navigating higher education while balancing work and family responsibilities, and pursuing credentials that support long-term career advancement.

Participants concluded the event by collaborating on regional action plans designed to strengthen educational pathways, expand cross-sector partnerships, improve data collection, and identify policy recommendations that will help scale successful practices across California.

California is home to approximately 6.8 million working-age adults without a postsecondary credential, while an estimated 70 percent of jobs in the state will require education beyond high school by 2030. The UDW Demonstration Project seeks to address these workforce demands by creating stronger connections between education, labor, and industry while expanding opportunities for adult learners to earn certificates, degrees, and workforce credentials.

As the project continues through December 2026, participating colleges and partners will build on the summit's momentum by expanding regional collaborations, refining learner support strategies, sharing promising practices, and informing statewide policy that advances educational access and economic opportunity for California's adult learners.

For Riverside City College, hosting the statewide summit reflects the college's ongoing commitment to workforce development, educational equity, and creating innovative pathways that help students of every age and background achieve their educational and career goals.