The Community College Futures Assembly has served as a national independent policy think tank since 1995. Its purpose is to articulate the critical issues facing American community colleges and recognize innovative programs. Convening annually in January in Orlando, Florida, the Assembly provides an interactive learning environment where tough questions are raised, critical issues are discussed, and policy implications are vetted. The focus for the 2010 Community College Futures Assembly is "addressing college graduation challenge through effective leadership in community colleges." The focus of this special issue of the "Community College Journal of Research and Practice" underlines the best practices of 30 Bellwether trend-setting postsecondary higher education institutions.