Objective/Research Question: This paper reports on data collected in a multi-year National Science Foundation grant project involving a professional development (PD) model built to support community college faculty as change agents (CAs). The research question was: How do disciplinary communities of practice (CoP) emerge among community college…

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…

Foreign-born faculty members in community colleges can serve as a valuable resource to their institutions' growing internationalization efforts. This study uses the data from the 2004 National Study of Postsecondary Faculty to examine the characteristics, job satisfaction, and workplace perceptions of the foreign-born group of the professoriate at…

The impending retirements of many community college leaders creates a need to better understand who the chief academic officers (CAOs) are and the paths they followed to become CAOs. Nonetheless, researchers have paid relatively little attention to this important leadership position. To address this gap in the literature, the authors undertook a…

Reports on a survey of state directors of community college education conducted to identify significant actions taken by state legislatures to guide public policy for community colleges. Provides information on legislation considered or enacted in 1983. (DMM)

Describes the methodology and findings of a survey of 180 two-year colleges to determine the current practices and services of two-year college counseling programs. Presents findings based on 116 responses in terms of staff characteristics, administrative issues, and focus of the counseling services. (AYC)

State directors of two-year college education were asked to rate the importance and time spent on 67 specific managerial activities and to identify the activities to which they should and would like to allocate more time. Long-range planning and staff development were of greatest interest to respondents, whereas negotiation was of least interest.…

Survey data reveal that, of the 72 recent legislative actions affecting community colleges labeled as significant by state directors of community/junior colleges, nearly 50 percent are concentrated in three areas: institutional growth, governance, and financial support. There is a great deal of state-level legislative support for the continued…

Describes the results of a survey in which community college presidents were asked to rate the local influence of 39 ways of conveying institutional image. Reveals that presidents feel that students are the key to college image. (AYC)

Describes a survey of 44 male spouses of community college presidents, comparing findings with responses to similar questions from a survey of female spouses. Profiles the male spouses in terms of their personal characteristics, role at the college and in the community, rewards, frustrations, and advice to governing boards and female presidents.…

Describes a study conducted by the Center for the Study of Community Colleges to investigate the liberal arts credit offerings of 164 community colleges nationwide. Considers the make-up of the college curriculum, trends in course level (remedial, standard, or advanced), average class size, and total enrollments. (DMM)

Reports on a survey of 213 Council of Universities and Colleges members regarding their services to 2-year colleges, reasons for engaging in these activities, benefits derived by the 2- and 4-year institutions, and the importance of the programs to the 4-year institutions. (DMM)

A survey of chief executive officers of state advisory councils on vocational education revealed that the advisory councils are not having the legally intended impact upon state boards or upon 1202 commissions. (JG)

Reports on a survey of 177 chief business officers of public community colleges regarding their responsibilities and the importance they assigned to various role functions. Highlights findings concerning the perceived importance of fiscal/financial duties; endowments as a job function; role in shared planning; and personal attention given to…

Describes a national survey of library development and fund-raising practices in community colleges. While 55 percent of the responding colleges had no library development programs, several libraries carried out their own fund-raising, and college foundations raised funds on behalf of the library at other schools. Describes several library…