The future of the American community, technical, and junior colleges will depend on the ability of educational leaders to shape the environment in which these institutions must function. The advent of the information-age, increasing competition for the recent high school graduate, and the current emphasis on education reform are examples of environmental changes which present community college leaders with many opportunities to determine the future of the open door colleges. The American Association of Community and Junior Colleges (AACJC) is making a significant national effort to shape the future environment. The priority aspects of AACJC's "game plan," as stated in its Public Policy Agenda, intend to: (1) promote the associate degree as an assurance of quality among employers and students; (2) enhance the high school/community college connection, by stressing academic standards and by developing articulated technical preparation training programs beginning during the junior year of high school and culminating with an associate degree; (3) develop employer/community college partnerships; and (4) build public understanding of community technical, and junior colleges, especially by gaining attention from the national media. With this plan, the mission of opportunity with excellence in community, technical, and junior colleges can be strengthened and clarified. (MPH)