Community colleges have long had multiple missions. The first community college was designed to relieve elite colleges of the burden of educating 18- and 19-year-olds. Thus, it was initially conceived of as a transfer institution--students would go on to upper division courses at a four-year college once they had matured and were ready for more advanced studies. Growth of the community college sector took off after World War II when the colleges also adopted the important function of educating students to go directly to work after completing a certificate (requiring less than two years) or an associate degree. Many nurses, medical technicians, police officers, firefighters, skilled manufacturing workers, and office workers did then and still do earn community college credentials. The colleges also educate millions of workers every year in extension or non-credit programs. Moreover, the colleges' admissions policies open the doors to college for millions of low-income and first-generation students and students of color who would have much less chance of gaining access to higher education without community colleges. Overall, these are numerically important institutions, enrolling almost 40 percent of undergraduates. Community college roles have shifted over time. For a variety of reasons, in the last two decades, the transfer mission has grown. Eighty percent of entering community college students say that they want a bachelor's degree, and trends in earnings data indicate that the desire for a BA makes sense. Transfer allows students to start their college careers at community colleges, where tuition is lower and classes are generally smaller, but still end up with the more valuable bachelor's degree. Colleges have responded to the growing demand by adding transfer-oriented liberal arts or general studies programs and working to improve the success of students who want to transfer.