In 1996, Lakeland Community College (Ohio) participated in the American Association of Community Colleges' Exploring America's Communities project, which works to strengthen the instruction of American history, literature, and culture at community colleges. The primary objective of the team's approach has been to identify strategies for enhancing the institutional climate for the conversation on American pluralism. The specific goals included: (1) establishment of a new course, Multicultural Literary Studies (MLS); (2) formation of a task force on American pluralism; (3) establishment of a resource center; (4) proposal for a new general education outcome for the Associate of Arts and the Associate of Science with attention to American Pluralism and identity; and (5) proposal for a new major college goal on pluralism to prepare for accreditation. Goals One, Two, and Three have been accomplished. Goal Four is in the discussion stage and is expected to require two to three years to complete. Goal Five will be addressed in 1998, as the college prepares a self-study for continuing accreditation. Challenges faced by the college included faculty and student resistance, institutional inertia, and structural barriers. Remaining work includes renewed marketing of the MLS course; identifying current instructional content and methods; faculty development activities; coordinating academic, continuing education, and student activities; and planning for student involvement. The team's efforts have served as a foundation for a permanent commitment community discussion. (HAA)