Since 1901, there have been four generations of community college development. Between 1901 and 1930, community colleges were seen as an extension of high school, serving the college-age person by providing collegiate-level academic work or remediation to prepare the student for the junior year of college at a university. The second generation of community colleges (1930-1950) was profoundly affected by the Depression, which brought a practical and economic emphasis to the junior college, and by World War II, which resulted in large numbers of adults demanding educational opportunities. The third generation (1950-1970) was the golden age for community colleges in terms of financial support and educational access for all. The high-minded dream of the third generation came face-to-face with harsh reality during the forth generation (1970-1985) when community colleges nationwide were faced with a precipitous decline in financial support. The fifth generation of community colleges will be shaped by social trends which are already identifiable. Mirroring the society, community colleges will become more varied and complex, and more focused on the individual. An agenda to sustain the development of community colleges during their fifth generation should include the following: (1) a new vision of community colleges must be developed; (2) leadership must take responsibility for developing that vision and the organizational culture to realize the vision; (3) faculty and staff must be recognized as the most important resource; and (4) the open door must remain open to all. (EJV)