The College and Career Transition Counselor (CCTC) program started in Iowa in 2017 as a partnership among Eastern Iowa Community College, Louisa Muscatine, and Columbus Community Schools, with Mississippi Bend AEA providing support through its Future Ready division. For the 2023-2024 school year, over 50 CCTCs will be housed in all 15 of Iowa’s community colleges and will support students in nearly 100 Iowa high schools.
CCTCs work directly through the community college and secondary schools to support college transition and career exploration through targeted connections with students and families during crucial time frames, including preparation, transition to enrollment and persistence through their postsecondary experience. The CCTCs work closely with students in grades 11 and 12 in partner high schools, throughout the summer after high school graduation and as part of the first-year support system for students coming out of this program at the coordinating community college. The positions are hosted at the community college and partner with at least one school district.
CCTCs work as a liaison between the community college and secondary schools to ensure students are supported in their career exploration and receive proper assistance in transitioning into additional training which can include apprenticeships, military opportunities, two-year colleges, four-year colleges and the world of work. CCTCs provide additional targeted support to school counseling programs in the college and career domain and work with a variety of stakeholders. Currently, the preferred education requirement for a CCTC is a master's degree with a license or endorsement in school counseling, followed by a related master’s with a minimum requirement of a bachelor’s degree.