U.S. Community Colleges Open Doors

1. U.S. Community Colleges Open Doors IGNOU November 2009

2. U.S. Community Colleges • Began 105 years ago at Joliet Junior College (IL) to prepare students to enter “senior” institutions after first two years of study • 1930s— offered technical/ occupational programs • 1960s—became more comprehensive to address educational, economic and social needs of local community

3. U.S. Community Colleges… • Largest and fastest growing sector of higher education in the U.S. • Play a unique and vital role to ensure opportunity for individuals and economic vitality • Ensure that people of all socio-economic backgrounds—from new immigrants to laid of workers to those who have advanced degrees—have access to education and services • Play a significant role in developing students for the workforce and are of equal value to adults as they are to traditional age students

4. U.S. Community Colleges Offer… First 2 years of a university education—with transfer opportunities Workforce preparation— Educate and train workers for jobs Lifelong Learning— Update skills; Learn new knowledge

5. How Community Colleges Fit Into U.S. Higher Education Structure

6. Regional Accreditation of Post-secondary Institutions External quality review is carried out by private, nonprofit agencies in 6 different regions of the United States Regional agencies must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education Universities, 4-year colleges, and community colleges are accredited by the same regional accrediting agencies Ministries of Education recognize regionally-accredited higher education institutions

7. 1,195 regionally-accredited U.S. community colleges 11.5 million students.

8. Student Enrollment • 46% of all postsecondary students in U.S. begin at community colleges • 6.5 million credit programs • 5.5 million non-credit • Average Age—28 • 87,000 international students in 2008 (__ from India) Alumni include Pulitzer Prize recipients, chief executives, scientists, governors, U.S. Congressional representatives, producers, actors, athletes

9. Such as…. • Bruce Merrifield, Nobel Prize-Chemistry • KweisiMfume, President Emeritus, NAACP • George Lucas, Producer/Director of “Star Wars” • Tom Hanks, Clint Eastwood, Actors • 2008 Gold and Silver Medalists in Track • Arnold Schwarzenegger, CA Governor • Eileen Collins, Space Shuttle Commander • Oscar Hijuelos, Pulitzer Prize Winner

10. Types ofU.S . Community Colleges Tribal Institutions Independent 31 Institutions 177 Public Institutions 987 Total: 1,195

11. Community Colleges Are… Accessible—Convenient, flexible hours Affordable—Low Tuition and Fees Adaptable—Responsive to local and regional needs Accountable—Meets standards established by regional accrediting agencies

12. Why Students Choose U.S. Community Colleges • Credits Transfer to a University • Cost Effective Tuition • Pre-college English (ESL) programs • Focus on Teaching • Supportive Learning Environment

13. 4 Senior • Junior • 2 Sophomore • 1 Freshman College Transfer Associate’s Degree Year 2 Year 1

14. ARTS (AA) Anthropology Art History Business Communications Economics Geography History Languages & Literature Philosophy Political Science Psychology Sociology SCIENCES (AS) Agriculture Biology Chemistry Computer Science Engineering Environmental Science Forestry Geology Mathematics Oceanography Physics Zoology Sample of Associate Degrees

15. Student Transfer—2 + 2 Articulation Agreements Formal agreement between community colleges and universities to — • Facilitate and maximize the seamless transfer of credits transfer between and among post-secondary institutions • Ensure courses taken will satisfy the lower division requirements at the university required for the student’s major • Usually within same state but not always

16. Importance of Student Transfer and Articulation • Primary access vehicle for the bachelor’s degree • Platform for the value of the associate degree • Reinforces the value of the associate degree • Improves relationships at a systemic level • Enable students to start their studies at a community college and taking credits to a university

17. Transfer Support for Students • College Transfer Center • Transfer links to universities • Academic Advising • Career Center with Assessment tools • Transfer fairs

18. Cost-Effective Tuition State and Local Funding enable community colleges to charge 50% less than public 4-year institutions

19. Community College Funding Sources Tuition & Fees State Funds 17% Local Funds 21% 38% 15% 9% Federal Funds Other

20. Teaching and Learning Focus Classes are taught by faculty with advanced degrees as well as by instructors experienced in their field Programs designed for student success Small Classes (25-30 students) provide more opportunity for dialogue

21. Supportive Learning Environment to Ensure Student Success • Tutoring • Academic Advising • Counseling • Intensive English programs • Study Skills Classes • Career Planning • Student Clubs • Cross-Cultural Programs • Assistance with Housing

22. Housing Options at Community Colleges • 25% have dorms on campus • Others offer home stays, apartments near campus and/or provide transportation to classes

23. U.S. Community Colleges also… Play an important role in the area in which they reside An economic catalyst by providing employers with an educated & trained workforce Serve all members in the community who can benefit from their services

24. And Responsive to the Labor Market Colleges work with industry to determine what type of learning and skills students need to enter the workforce Students are educated and trained for jobs available in the community Hands-on, progressive, customized training and learning opportunities are provided Investment in education and training has a direct impact on the local tax base and ensures the ongoing vitality of the local labor market

25. Degrees/Certificates Given in Such Programs as… Architectural Design Computer Technology Culinary Arts Diesel Technology Digital Imaging Electronics Fashion Design Graphic Design Hospitality/Tourism Film & TV Production Health Sciences Protective Services

26. U.S. Community Colleges at the Forefront of… 57%

27. Degrees and Certificates Change Lives • Higher levels of education lead to higher earnings • Community college graduates generally earn 20 to 30% more than people with only high school diplomas 500,000 Associate Degrees* 270,000Certificates* *Annually Awarded

28. America Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) • Stimulus funds to retrain displaced workers and to work with area industries that currently needs workers • Expertise IT and networking systems • Create new “innovation economy jobs” to help foster economic growth and stability • Colleges working with their one-stop career centers to provide instruction for work in local community, i.e., medical fields, heating and cooling, construction

29. President Obama’s Community College Initiative • $12 billion program designed to improve student learning, track progress and train workers • Goal is to produce an additional 5 million cc graduates by 2020 • “The nation’s two-year colleges and their students have experienced significant economic hardship…. We’re very concerned about providing access and opportunity” —Martha Kanter , Undersecretary of Education

30. Federal Opportunities to Help Adults and Displaced Workers • U.S. Department of Education awarded 11.25 million to design and implement 29 projects to help students pursue degrees or credentials in U.S. community colleges • Milwaukee Area Technical College (WI) will use grant to introduce students to construction careers in carpentry, masonry, electricity and green technologies (i.e., weatherization)

31. Washington State Initiative to Increase Completion Rates • Funding: State Legislature, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Ford Foundation • Program will launch new programs and expand successful demonstration efforts to address key barriers in student success • “Low-income young adults rely on community colleges to get the skills they need in today’s economy but many struggle to succeed despite their best efforts.”

32. High Growth of Jobs Requiringan Associate’s Degree Jobs requiring an associate’s degree will grow 32% by 2010

33. A Prominent Profile in Today’s Workforce 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% ProfessionalDegree Some Collegeor AS Degree Bachelor’s Master’s Education Profile of Today’s Workforce 25+ Years Old Source: U.S. Census 2005

34. Workforce Opportunities for Community College Graduates • Community & technical colleges are committed to addressing and solving workforce shortages • Students can obtain skills to handle a wide range of jobs which need more than a high school education but not a 4-year degree

35. Employers’ Viewpoint • U.S. community colleges are increasingly seen as a model to train a more skilled workforce • 95% of businesses and organizations that employ community college graduates commend their valuable workforce education and training

36. U.S. Community Colleges are Winning the Skills Race American community are the nation’s overlooked asset….They are the Ellis Island of American higher education, the crossroads at which K–12 education meets colleges and universities, and the institutions that Give many students the tools to navigate the modern world. College Board 2008

37. Industry and Colleges Working Together Sunoco established a Center on Science and Engineering Education at the Community College of Philadelphia to— • provide support for programs in science and technology; • foster student research; • identify faculty professional development opportunities; and • develop and implement new science technology certificates as needed to address emerging trends

38. Northeastern Wisconsin Technical College • Woman working in a cabinetry plant • Also takes courses in green advanced manufacturing provided by community college • Now has ability to operate both the heavy machinery and the computer technology

39. Northeast Community College (Neb)Wind Technician Training • Equipment lent to college by local business partner • A learning environment is created for students to: • practice in real turbines • climb 252 feet • operate powerful and dangerous electrical equipment within the “confined space” (by OSHA standards) of the nosecone

40. DeKalb Technical College (GA) • Students are monitoring and updating electrical and mechanical buildings in several buildings • Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority provide students with a “real world” education in green technology

41. Continuing and Lifelong Education

42. Opportunities to Pursue New Careers and Improve Skills • Programs attract workers with bachelor’s and advanced degrees • Many workers seek to improve skills or study for new careers (i.e., nursing, IT) • Job search courses provided • Also courses for fun or self-improvement--cooking, public speaking, music lessons

43. Community Colleges Also Provide “Soft” Skills Workers need more than a high level technical ability. Essential to success: • Team Work • Collaboration • Innovation • Ability to apply learned information to work situation • Ability to Communicate • Confidence

44. Model for Other Countries • U.S. community colleges are increasingly seen as a model to train a more skilled work force • A growing belief among community college officials that they must more effectively prepare students to work in a “borderless” world • Community colleges meet needs through customized training of workers from specific employers and specifically model their programs to suit local populations Chronicle of Higher Education, April 7, 2008

45. Promotes U.S. Community Colleges Locally & Globally Advocacy & Outreach Economic & Workforce Development Global Education Communication & Networking Research, Technology, Emerging Trends Leadership Development Partnership/Exchange Opportunities Relationships with Business & Industry

46. AACC Mission—Building a Nation of Learners by Advancing America’s Community Colleges

47. AACC Works Closely With… U. S. Department of State * Consular Bureau * Bureau-Education & Cultural Affairs * U.S. Embassies and Consulates U. S. Department-Homeland Security * International Student & Exchange Program (SEVP) U.S. Agency for International Dev U.S. Department of Education * Office of Vocational /Technical Ed Education

48. And with….. • Academy for Educational Development • American Council on Education • Association of Community College Trustees • College Board • Community Colleges for International Development (CCID) • Council for International Education of Scholars (CCIS) • Forum on Study Abroad • Institute of International Education (IIE) • Georgetown University SEED (Scholarships for Education and Economic Development) Program • NAFSA: International Association of Educators

49. Embassy Outreach • India • Indonesia • China • Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission • Vietnam ****** • Embassy Dialogue Committee Washington, DC-based group affiliated with NAFSA and comprised of representatives from area colleges and universities, embassies and education organizations

50. International Partnerships • China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE) • Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) MOU with AACC to promote greater student mobility and more rapid recognition of credentials or promoting sustainable, integrated development in rural areas • Vietnam Association of Community Colleges (VACC)