Community Colleges: Access, Growth, and Change

1. Operation Inform 07 Community Colleges: Access, Growth, and Change

2. Community Colleges • Community Colleges are critical to SUNY’s mission but also to higher education across the country. • 46% of all U.S. undergraduates are enrolled in a community college • 56% of all public postsecondary enrollment is in community colleges Operation Inform 2007-08

3. SUNY’s Community Colleges: • SUNY's 30 locally sponsored Community Colleges are located strategically throughout New York State • More than 210,000 full-time and part-time students are currently enrolled • More than half of all first-time college freshman attend community colleges • Full-time enrollment at community colleges range from 700 to over 10,000 • Overarching mission: provide excellent transfer and career education, and degree programs, supported by comprehensive student services Operation Inform 2007-08

4. Operation Inform 2007-08

5. Community Colleges: • Misperceptions: - Community college is not college - Community college is not the destination of choice for first-year college students - Difficulties/restrictions in transferring to highly- selective institutions • Let’s refute some myths… (Source: collegeboard.com) Operation Inform 2007-08

6. Why Community College? • Transfer to Four-Year Colleges and Universities • Cutting-Edge Technology • Lower Cost • Accessible Faculty • Small Classes • Variety of Courses and Majors • Flexible Schedules Operation Inform 2007-08

7. Why Community College? (con’t) • Commitment to Diversity • Support Services • Community Service • Student Success Operation Inform 2007-08

8. Access: • Community Colleges participate in the Full Opportunity Program of the State University of New York • Each college has specific admissions criteria-check with individual campuses regarding policies, prerequisites and special admission programs • Student Success: Freshman Seminar and first-year programs, placement testing & assessment, academic advisement, counseling & support services Operation Inform 2007-08

9. Growth: • Many community colleges now offer student housing. Campuses are enhancing facilities and services: health and fitness centers, dining halls with meal plans, libraries, classroom buildings, computer labs, extension centers/branch campuses, etc. • Expanding technology, distance learning opportunities, hybrid courses, Dual Enrollment/College in the High School programs, etc. • Unique programs of study: community colleges can quickly adapt to community and industry needs Operation Inform 2007-08

10. Adirondack: Adventure Sports: Leadership & Management Broome: Chemical Dependency Counseling Cayuga: Geographic Information Systems Clinton: Industrial Technology Columbia-Greene: Massage Therapy Corning: Fire Protection Dutchess: Aviation Science Erie: Surgical Technology FIT: Toy Design Finger Lakes: Fisheries Technology FMCC: Multimedia Technology Genesee: Biotechnology Herkimer: CyberSecurity Hudson Valley: Supermarket Management Operations Jamestown: Psychology of the Workplace Jefferson: Animal Management Mohawk Valley: Digital Animation Monroe: Optical Systems Technology Nassau: Mortuary Science Niagara: Gaming & Casino Management North Country: Computer Graphics & Design Onondaga: Respiratory Care Orange: Exercise Studies Rockland: Performing Arts Schenectady: Nanoscale Materials Technology Suffolk: Dietetic Technician Sullivan: Professional Chef TC3: Global Communications Ulster: Paramedic Westchester: Electronic Music Unique Programs: Operation Inform 2007-08

11. Change: • More interest from high achieving students-community colleges are no longer a backup choice • Grants & Scholarships for academically talented students: campus based scholars programs for new and returning students • Academic Competitiveness Grant • Increased transfer opportunities: more partnerships with four-year colleges and universities, four-year institutions now offering baccalaureate degrees on some community college campuses • More than half of all community college graduates transfer to four-year colleges and universities. Credits transfer to both SUNY schools and private institutions Operation Inform 2007-08

12. Choosing a Community College: • Similar to a four-year college search • Consider: location, cost, class size, and campus environment • Students should weigh their options carefully: living at home and commuting to their local community college, vs. attending a residential community college • Research: availability of support services, course offerings, student life, etc. • Your students may “think” they know their local community college-encourage them to speak with an admissions professional and schedule a campus tour Operation Inform 2007-08

13. Community Colleges • Discussion points: • Results of a recent study in California have implications for all of us: • “…the first semester in community college is a pivotal point in students’ academic careers. Students whose first academic experience in college is positive and successful are more likely to remain in school , and to sustain their aspirations to transfer to a four-year college.” (Source: Pace Policy Brief, Aug. 2007) Operation Inform 2007-08

14. “…Students who took a full courseload of transfer-eligible courses (four or more) in the first-semester were far more likely to transfer than other students.” • “To realize the goal of extending higher education to a larger proportion of the next generation, policy makers must focus on access, but also on the factors that foster student persistence in college.” (Source: Pace Policy Brief, Aug. 2007) Operation Inform 2007-08

15. Questions? For more information, please contact: Your local community college SUNY Recruitment Response Center 1-800-342-3811 SUNY Center for Student Recruitment (NYC) 212-938-1209 SUNY Web site www.suny.edu/student Operation Inform 2007-08