This case study focused on the Open Campus™ initiative at Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC). Open Campus™ is the nation's first free, online, non-credit, developmental, cross-curricular course portal. The courses are self-directed and can be utilized by anyone with an internet connection, regardless of the Bossier Parish affiliation. In the…

In 2004, Lumina Foundation for Education launched "Achieving the Dream: Community Colleges Count," a national initiative aimed at improving success among community college students, particularly low-income students and students of color. Now encompassing more than 130 institutions in 24 states and the District of Columbia, Achieving the…

Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC), located in Phoenix, Arizona, is part of the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD). PVCC was founded in 1987 and in the fall of 2007 served 8,739 students in credit courses. Since 1997, PVCC has been on a quest to become a "more learning centered" college. As a result of placing…

"Building Institutional Capacity for Data-Informed Decision Making" is the third installment of the Cutting Edge series, which aims to help colleges engage faculty, scale successful interventions, and create a strong culture of evidence through use of data to strengthen their institutional change and student success efforts. Though the…

Frederick Community College (FCC) is a comprehensive open-door community college that serves the citizens of Frederick County, Maryland, the state's largest county by size and seventh in population (230,000). It is located in central Maryland, equidistant from Baltimore and Washington, D.C. The college's character as a learning college is…

Isothermal Community College (ICC) is located in Spindale, North Carolina. The college serves approximately 2,000 curriculum students every fall and spring semester and about 1,000 curriculum students in summer semesters. The Student Affairs department at ICC is divided into 10 functional areas. Over the last several years, student affairs staff…

Describes the Housatonic Museum of Art at Housatonic Community College in terms of its origins; purposes; collection of 20th Century painting, sculpture, and graphics; contributions to the college environment; and safeguards of the art works. Discusses funding barriers to and benefits of replicating the community college museum concept elsewhere.…

Colby Community College has had a campus-wide Human Development Program in operation for two years. This document summarizes the experience of the Human Development Program in the areas of Human Development instruction, staff development, community development, and student development. Specific descriptions of desired classroom, organizational,…

As part of the process of redefining institutional growth and vitality, the Dallas Community College District is attempting to become a "learning society," that is, an institution which is capable of on-going critical self-examination, which is process-oriented, and which encourages the development of new ideas. The major components…

The use of a learning community approach to college curriculum design is explored, and examples are drawn from the following Temple University (Pennsylvania) and the following Washington colleges: Evergreen State College, North Seattle and Seattle Central Community College, Tacoma Community College, and Lower Columbia College. Contacts for further…

Which factors promote student transfer from California Community Colleges (CCC) to baccalaureate-granting institutions? How do community college practices support this transition? Which student behaviors and characteristics particularly facilitate their movement to four-year colleges and universities? The Research and Planning Group for California…

In spring 1990, the classified staff of the Sierra College Staff Development Committee requested and obtained funding to sponsor four all-day retreats for all classified staff. Participants were assigned to one of the retreats based on their own preferences and an attempt to ensure a cross section of staff at each retreat. As a result of the…

The development and organization of a Thanksgiving dinner for Rockland Community College's population of foreign students is described. Lessons learned from the successful experience are outlined. (MSE)

Strengthening Pre-collegiate Education in Community Colleges (SPECC) was organized by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in partnership with The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation to increase student learning in developmental--or basic skills--classes. However, their concern was not just the success of students in classes…

Describes how quality circles were implemented at Des Moines Area Community College, following the administration of a quality of work life survey of college employees. Reveals benefits in terms of improved quality and satisfaction; provides information on the quality circle process. (DMM)