The Community's College: The Pursuit of Democracy, Economic Development, and Success

Community colleges in the US provide affordable education to 12 million students, including first-generation, economically disadvantaged, and minoritized students. They are vital for local workforce and economic development but need more resources. This book highlights the challenges and opportunities community colleges face, advocating for increased investment and highlighting how stakeholders can contribute to their success. It also provides accounts of visits to five community colleges, showcasing their diversity, missions, and role in supporting local businesses and regional economic development.

Format: Hardback
Length: 185 pages
Publication date: 07 July 2022
Publisher: Stylus Publishing

While community colleges promote American ideals of democracy, opportunity, and social mobility, they provide a vital, accessible, and affordable education for nearly 12 million first-generation, economically disadvantaged, and minoritized students. They are engines of local workforce and economic development, and enroll nearly half of all students who go on to complete a four-year degree. However, they remain the least resourced and the least funded institutions in the United States.

Offering the insights of the former president of Greenfield Community College, located in Massachusetts' poorest rural county, who was a national leader in community college and higher education organizations as well as closely involved with local businesses and organizations, and commentary and background data provided by Professor of Higher Education and Chair of the Department of Leadership in Education at the University of Massachusetts Boston, this book addresses the challenges that community colleges face as they strive to achieve their complex missions in a changing world. By providing vivid accounts of the diversity of students that community colleges serve, the complexity of their missions—from dual enrollment with high schools to vocational training, adult education, and transfer to four-year colleges—and the role they play in supporting and responding to the needs of local businesses, as well as regional economic development, the authors make the case for increased investment, while at the same time making apparent to all stakeholders—from policy makers and trustees to college leaders, faculty, and staff—how they can contribute to the vital development of human capacities.

Community colleges are open-access institutions that train nearly 80% of all first responders, graduate more than half of new nurses and health professionals, and provide critical workforce development and training programs to local businesses and industries. Despite their many contributions, community colleges face significant challenges, including funding shortages, outdated infrastructure, and limited resources.

To address these challenges, policymakers and stakeholders need to prioritize investment in community colleges. This can include increased funding for scholarships and grants, improved infrastructure, and expanded workforce development programs. Additionally, colleges can work to increase their efficiency and effectiveness by streamlining administrative processes, improving technology infrastructure, and collaborating with local businesses and organizations to provide customized training and education programs.

In conclusion, community colleges are vital institutions that play a critical role in promoting American ideals of democracy, opportunity, and social mobility. They provide a critical education and training opportunity for millions of students, and are engines of local workforce and economic development. However, they remain the least resourced and the least funded institutions in the United States. By increasing investment and collaboration, policymakers and stakeholders can help community colleges achieve their full potential and continue to make a significant impact on the lives of students and communities.

Weight: 430g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781642674248