Montgomery College Hosts Launch Event for Collective Impact Institute to Expand Opportunity and Upward Mobility

Montgomery College officially launched its new Collective Impact Institute new window on June 17, bringing together approximately 70 leaders from education, business, government, philanthropy and nonprofit organizations to celebrate a new chapter in cross-sector collaboration across Montgomery County.  

Hosted at the Bioscience Education Center in Germantown, the event highlighted the College's commitment to serving as a convener for community partnerships that expand opportunity and strengthen pathways to upward mobility for residents throughout the region. 

The Collective Impact Institute builds on the foundation established by Montgomery Moving Forward new window, a decade-long initiative that united community leaders around shared priorities and defined outcomes. Now housed at Montgomery College, the institute will serve as a cross-sector hub for partnership, systems alignment, learning, employer engagement and collaborative innovation. 

"The launch of the Collective Impact Institute at Montgomery College represents an important next chapter in our ongoing commitment to workforce development and economic mobility as we strive to achieve a more just, equitable society," said  Dr. Jermaine F. Williams new window, president of Montgomery College. "We are uniquely positioned to lead and convene this work because of our accessibility, our partnerships, our reach across the county and our deep connection to students, employers and community stakeholders." 

Throughout the evening, speakers emphasized the importance of collaboration and the role collective action can play in creating stronger pathways to opportunity for Montgomery County residents. Ian Gordon, who recently joined the College as its inaugural director of the Collective Impact Institute, described the institute as a hub designed to enhance connections among organizations and stakeholders while helping shape long-term community solutions. 

“I believe deeply that aspirations, talent and potential exist in every community. Yet too often, people encounter systems that feel disconnected, difficult to navigate or out of reach,” Gordon explained. “What excites me most about the Collective Impact Institute is the opportunity to help strengthen the connections between institutions, community partners and residents in ways that make opportunity more accessible, more equitable and more life-changing.” 

Gordon noted that while Montgomery County already possesses strong institutions, employers and community partners, the institute's role will be to strengthen connections among them. Its first year will focus on listening, relationship building and stakeholder engagement, and rather than launching predetermined initiatives, the institute will work with community partners to identify priorities and positively shape future collaborations. 

Speakers also reflected on the legacy of Montgomery Moving Forward, which convened leaders from across sectors for over a decade to address complex community challenges through a collective impact framework. The organization focused on issues including workforce development, early childhood  education and fortifying the early care and education workforce. Among its accomplishments were helping establish WorkSource Montgomery new window,  the Children's Opportunity Alliance new window  and supporting the creation of the  Maryland Early Care and Education Coalition new window. 

"Including the philanthropy, education, government and business communities together was a hallmark of our process as we broke down silos and brought formerly overlooked stakeholders into the conversation to promote systems change," said Sharon Friedman of Montgomery Moving Forward. "We're proud of what we've accomplished, and last year we advocated for a permanent home for collective impact. We're so excited to hand over the reins to Montgomery College." 

The launch concluded with recognition of the many leaders, organizations and community partners whose work helped lay  the foundation for the institute, including Montgomery Moving Forward co-chairs Annice Cody and Susan Madden and former Montgomery County Councilmember Gabe Albornoz. Speakers also acknowledged the leadership of President Williams and Dr. Michelle Campbell new window, senior vice president for advancement and community engagement at Montgomery College, whose vision and support helped guide the transition of collective impact efforts.