A sector snapshot from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center shows community colleges and nondegree credentials powering fall enrollment growth. Undergraduate certificates rose 6.6% and associate programs grew 3.1%, while public two‑year institutions posted 4% annual enrollment growth. Fields tied to technician and trade pathways — mechanic and repair technologies, health professions, and engineering technologies — recorded the strongest gains at the two‑year level. Conversely, computer and information sciences saw a marked downturn across institution types. The trend reinforces community colleges’ central role in workforce preparation and suggests institutions and policymakers should prioritize scaling short‑term and credentialed pathways that align with employer demand.