Jason Taylor Brings National Community College Research Conference to Salt Lake City
This week, Jason Taylor, associate professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy in the University of Utah’s College of Education, is helping lead the 2026 Council for the Study of Community Colleges (CSCC) conference in Salt Lake City, one of the nation’s leading scholarly gatherings focused on community colleges.
Over the past year, Taylor has served as CSCC President-Elect, with a primary leadership role in planning the annual conference and developing the conference program. His work has helped shape a national event that will bring approximately 270 community college researchers to Salt Lake City to share scholarships and ideas about the future of two-year institutions.
The 2026 conference reflects the breadth and vitality of community college research, featuring about 80 paper presentations, 40 roundtables, 10 symposia, six presidential sessions, a keynote, and a plenary. The gathering highlights the important role community colleges play in expanding access to higher education, supporting student success, and strengthening local communities and workforces.
The CSCC, a scholarly association and Council affiliated with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), is committed to advancing research and improvement of community colleges. Its members include university researchers, graduate students, and community college professionals committed to studying and improving two-year institutions. The organization fosters collaboration between scholars and practitioners, promotes new research, and creates opportunities for professional learning and leadership.
Taylor’s scholarship focuses on how higher education and community college policies and practices influence college access and student success, especially for students from underserved backgrounds. A first-generation college graduate, he has led research on college readiness, developmental education, affordability, adult pathways to college, dual enrollment, transfer policy, LGBTQ student experiences, and career and technical education. His work has been supported by more than $1 million in external funding and published in leading journals and policy reports.
His leadership of this year’s conference also underscores the University of Utah’s visibility in a national conversation about the value and versatility of community colleges. CSCC elected Taylor as the organization’s President-Elect and 2026 conference program chair.
During the conference, Taylor will transition from President-Elect to President of CSCC, beginning a one-year term leading the association. His presidency marks another milestone in a career dedicated to research, policy, and practice that strengthen educational opportunity through community colleges.
The College of Education is proud to celebrate Taylor’s leadership in CSCC and his role in bringing this important national conference to Salt Lake City.