US community colleges play various roles in American higher education. Because of their wide-ranging diversity and open enrollment policies, they are frequently referred to as "democracy's colleges". They are vital today in assisting Americans in better understanding the global realities of a post-September 11 world. Programmatic strategies based in international education are being employed by institutions to better prepare students for these new realities. These strategies include peace studies, international studies, global studies, conflict resolution and homeland security. Because community colleges must work within curriculum, resource and mission limitations, finding approaches that can capitalize on the intersection of these strategies is critical to providing content in global peace, conflict and security. (Contains 1 figure.)