This dissertation is an examination of the state of the liberal arts curriculum in community colleges in three geographic regions of the United States. From a constructivist paradigm and using globalization theory as a theoretical framework, this multiple case study examined faculty work life and administrative processes related to curriculum…

Research suggests that 40 percent of college-age students with disabilities in the United States are enrolled in community colleges. Two-year colleges for a long time have been billed as ideal places for students with special needs to continue their educations, especially when those needs dictate that they remain closer to home. However, some…

This chapter describes how globalism is changing the U.S. economy and the job market for community college students. Special emphasis is given to the changes required of technical and occupational programs in order to internationalize their curricula and the roles that administrative leadership and faculty play in the process of…

As part of an application for a federal grant, College of the Canyons, in California, conducted a study to determine the number of fall 1992 students from families with low income levels and their racial/ethnic groups. Low income was defined as an amount equal to 150% of the poverty income level established by the United States Bureau of the…

An overview is provided of the activities of the Illinois Community College Board and the Illinois Community College System (ICCS) through the use of graphs, tables, statistical data, and vignettes. The first section offers brief biographical statements about the Illinois Community College Board's 12 members. The next section provides a snapshot…

In fall 1992, a survey was conducted of two subgroups of students who had enrolled for less than six credits in one of the seven community colleges in the Twin Cities metro area of Minnesota during fall quarter 1990, and who had not re-enrolled as of fall quarter 1992. The two subgroups surveyed included those classified as "completers"…

In fall 1993, Owens Community College (OCC), in Ohio, conducted a survey of 2,277 currently enrolled students to gather data on significant needs and characteristics to inform institutional effectiveness efforts. The survey instrument asked students to rate 76 items grouped into the categories of educational need, professional need,…

One method used by Alabama's Snead State Community College (SSCC) to measure student learning is to compare student scores on placement exams, taken before core course work, to results from evaluation exams, taken upon completion of core courses. All incoming freshmen are required to provide scores from American College Testing (ACT) assessment…

A study was conducted at the Trumbull Campus of Ohio's Kent State University (KSU) to gather data on the motivations and characteristics of students who transferred from the campus. A sample was developed from the 423 students who requested transcript forms in 1992 and 1993, as well as 50 students identified as having transferred to KSU's Kent…

Providing data on institutional trends up to fall 1993 at Diablo Valley College, in California, this report consists of 14 charts on enrollment and student characteristics. Following an introduction describing a general decline in enrollments due to a statewide increase in fees, the following tables are provided: (1) fall enrollment from 1984 to…

An analysis of student matriculation was conducted at Diablo Valley College, in California, using the cohort of 4,251 students identified as new in fall 1992. Data indicate that 22.3% of this cohort did not enroll in any courses after applying, being tested, and completing orientation and advising; 8.4% continued on in the semester, but dropped…

In November 1993, Hudson County Community College (HCCC) surveyed a sample of enrolled credit students to understand retention and attrition at the college. The survey asked students to list briefly things HCCC could change or improve to improve retention and to indicate why students they knew had left HCCC before finishing their program. In order…

In fall 1995, Illinois' Moraine Valley Community College (MVCC) conducted a survey of a random sample of 1,447 current students to gather information on their attitudes and goals and to compare responses for Asian, Black, Hispanic, and White students. Completed surveys were received from 433 students, including 53 Asians, 73 Blacks, 127 Hispanics,…

In response to research indicating that Asian Pacific American (APA) students were considerably more dissatisfied with programs and services than any other ethnic group, Rancho Santiago Community College (RSCC), in California, conducted a series of focus group interviews with APA students to determine their characteristics and motivations. All…

Intended as a reference tool for managers, faculty, staff, other interested educational institutions, and the District community, this document provides historical information on students, programs, and staff in California's Peralta Community College District (PCCD) from the 1970s to 1995. Following an introduction and the PCCD mission statement,…