Community colleges and universities have traditionally functioned independently, serving their respective markets and offering different programs and credentials. Growing populations and workforce needs have inspired institutions of higher education to challenge their traditional roles to provide added pathways and opportunities for students. One…

The completion agenda is in full force at the nation's community colleges. To maximize the impact colleges can have on improving completion, colleges must organize around using student progress and outcome data to monitor and track their efforts. Unfortunately, colleges are struggling to identify relevant data and to mobilize staff to review…

From locally focused institutions intent on access and affordability to higher education, workforce preparation, and community engagement, the contemporary community college is poised as a global partner for the democratization and development of a global workforce. In this chapter, the authors revisit the development of international education in…

The study introduced a very important issue for the development of labor market in any developing country. The rapid changes in technology and communication imposed challenges on education institutions for the development of labor market to meet local communities. These institutions have more responsibilities to provide professional and skilled…

Community colleges play a key role in serving the higher education needs of students in this country. This includes more than 40% of all Bachelor Degree graduates in science and engineering and approximately 50% of all students from traditionally underrepresented minority groups. While it is well known who attends community colleges and who majors…

Community colleges serve as the college of choice for nearly half of all postsecondary students. The role of the community college continues to adapt and change, and the colleges that were once seen as vocational and technical schools now serve as a jumping off point to future educational endeavors and a variety of careers and occupations.…

Using data from more than 2,000 community college science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors in the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, this research investigates how ethnicity, gender, non-traditional student risk factors, academic preparation, socio-economic status, and English-as-second-language/citizenship status…

The focus on educational attainment has taken on a renewed sense of national urgency. It is now commonly accepted that educational achievement is correlated with higher individual lifetime earnings and a better quality of life. Increasing the general level of education is also seen as important for the well-being of society and the economic…

Two-year colleges are facing major change. The majority will undergo a turnover in college presidencies in the next ten years, at a time when they are being asked to be engines for economic growth, enable more students--and a greater diversity of students--to gain 21st century qualifications, and provide a pathway to higher degrees, all with…

Understanding the factors that influence a community college governing board to increase its engagement in accountability for student success was the purpose of this grounded theory case study. A further aim was to develop a model that described how these factors interact. A highly engaged community college governing board, as defined by a focus,…

In light of recent data showing that educational attainment rates in the United States have stagnated, the Obama administration and others have called for renewed efforts to bolster higher education outcomes. Strengthening the role of community colleges is undoubtedly an important component of any plan to dramatically increase the number of…

By providing an affordable way to build and maintain a knowledgeable and skilled workforce, noncredit courses add value to people and their communities. Still, government leaders and other decisionmakers want to know: Exactly how much value do they add? Who benefits? What is the return on investment? Which programs are most effective and most…

Presents a four-stage model of the development of the community college, focusing on broad social, economic, and political changes. Calls these stages the Mutation (circa 1800-1920), the Empty Niche (1920-1950), Niche Expansion (1950-1975), and the Saturated Niche (1975-today). (DMM)

A survey aimed at defining goals to guide decision making about program priorities and resource allocations is described. A study of Arizona's community colleges indicates that the new approach can be very useful. (Author/MLW)

Examines recent trends in general education, discussing its importance, definitions of general education, and its inconsistent status. Provides three examples of successful general education programs, as well as an ideal model for a community college program. (AYC)