U.S. Community Colleges U.S. Community Colleges Open Doors Open Doors

IGNOUIGNOU

November 2009November 2009

U.S. Community CollegesU.S. Community Colleges

Began 105 years ago at Joliet Began 105 years ago at Joliet Junior College (IL) to prepare Junior College (IL) to prepare students to enter “senior” students to enter “senior” institutions after first two years institutions after first two years of study of study

1930s— offered technical/ 1930s— offered technical/ occupational programs occupational programs

1960s—became more 1960s—became more comprehensive to address comprehensive to address educational, economic and educational, economic and social needs of local communitysocial needs of local community

U.S. Community Colleges…U.S. Community Colleges…

Largest and fastest growing sector of higher Largest and fastest growing sector of higher education in the U.S. education in the U.S.

Play a unique and vital role to ensure opportunity for Play a unique and vital role to ensure opportunity for individuals and economic vitalityindividuals and economic vitality

Ensure that people of all socio-economic Ensure that people of all socio-economic backgrounds—from new immigrants to laid of backgrounds—from new immigrants to laid of workers to those who have advanced degrees—have workers to those who have advanced degrees—have access to education and services access to education and services

Play a significant role in developing students for the Play a significant role in developing students for the workforce and are of equal value to adults as they workforce and are of equal value to adults as they are to traditional age studentsare to traditional age students

U.S. U.S. Community Colleges Community Colleges Offer…Offer…

First 2 years of a university First 2 years of a university educationeducation—with transfer —with transfer opportunitiesopportunities

Workforce preparationWorkforce preparation——Educate and train workers for jobsEducate and train workers for jobs

Lifelong LearningLifelong Learning——Update skills; Learn new knowledgeUpdate skills; Learn new knowledge

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

Regional Accreditation of Regional Accreditation of Post-secondary Post-secondary InstitutionsInstitutions 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

11.5 million students.

1,195 regionally-accredited U.S. community colleges

Student EnrollmentStudent Enrollment

46% of all postsecondary 46% of all postsecondary students in U.S. begin at students in U.S. begin at community collegescommunity colleges

6.5 million credit programs6.5 million credit programs

5.5 million non-credit5.5 million non-credit

Average Age—28 Average Age—28

87,000 international students 87,000 international students in 2008 (__ from India)in 2008 (__ from India)

Alumni include Pulitzer Alumni include Pulitzer Prize recipients, chief Prize recipients, chief executives, scientists, executives, scientists, governors, U.S. governors, U.S. Congressional Congressional representatives, representatives, producers, actors, producers, actors, athletesathletes

Such as….Such as….

Bruce MerrifieldBruce Merrifield, Nobel Prize-Chemistry, Nobel Prize-Chemistry Kweisi MfumeKweisi Mfume, , President Emeritus, NAACPPresident Emeritus, NAACP George LucasGeorge Lucas,, Producer/Director of “Star Wars” Producer/Director of “Star Wars” Tom Hanks, Clint EastwoodTom Hanks, Clint Eastwood, , ActorsActors 2008 Gold and Silver Medalists in Track2008 Gold and Silver Medalists in Track

Arnold SchwarzeneggerArnold Schwarzenegger,, CA Governor CA GovernorEileen CollinsEileen Collins,, Space Shuttle Commander Space Shuttle CommanderOscar HijuelosOscar Hijuelos, Pulitzer Prize Winner, Pulitzer Prize Winner

Types ofTypes ofU.S . Community U.S . Community

CollegesColleges

Public Institutions

987

Tribal Institutions

31Independent Institutions

177

Total: 1,195

Community Colleges Community Colleges Are…Are…

AccessibleAccessible—Convenient, flexible hours—Convenient, flexible hours

AffordableAffordable—Low Tuition and Fees—Low Tuition and Fees

AdaptableAdaptable—Responsive to local and —Responsive to local and regional needsregional needs

AccountableAccountable—Meets standards —Meets standards established by regional accrediting established by regional accrediting agenciesagencies

Why Students ChooseWhy Students Choose U.S. Community Colleges U.S. Community Colleges

Credits Transfer to a University

Cost Effective Tuition

Pre-college English (ESL) programs

Focus on Teaching

Supportive Learning Environment

4 Senior

3 Junior

2 Sophomore

1 Freshman

Associate’s Degree

Year 2

Year 1

College Transfer

Sample of Associate Degrees Sample of Associate Degrees

ARTS (AA)ARTS (AA)

• AnthropologyAnthropology• Art HistoryArt History• BusinessBusiness• CommunicationsCommunications• EconomicsEconomics• GeographyGeography• HistoryHistory• Languages & LiteratureLanguages & Literature• PhilosophyPhilosophy• Political SciencePolitical Science• PsychologyPsychology• SociologySociology

SCIENCES (AS)SCIENCES (AS)

• AgricultureAgriculture• BiologyBiology• ChemistryChemistry• Computer ScienceComputer Science• EngineeringEngineering• Environmental ScienceEnvironmental Science• ForestryForestry• GeologyGeology• MathematicsMathematics• OceanographyOceanography• PhysicsPhysics• ZoologyZoology

Student Transfer—Student Transfer—2 + 2 Articulation Agreements2 + 2 Articulation Agreements

Formal agreement between Formal agreement between community colleges and community colleges and universities to —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 alwaysUsually within same state but not always

Importance of Student Importance of Student Transfer and ArticulationTransfer and Articulation

Primary access Primary access vehicle for the vehicle for the bachelor’s degreebachelor’s degree

Platform for the Platform for the value of the value of the associate degreeassociate degree

Reinforces the Reinforces the value of the value of the associate degreeassociate degree

Improves Improves relationships at a relationships at a systemic levelsystemic level

Enable students to Enable students to start their studies start their studies at a community at a community college and taking college and taking credits to a credits to a universityuniversity

Transfer Support for StudentsTransfer Support for Students

College Transfer CenterCollege Transfer Center Transfer links to universitiesTransfer links to universities Academic AdvisingAcademic Advising Career Center with Career Center with

Assessment toolsAssessment tools Transfer fairsTransfer fairs

Cost-Effective TuitionCost-Effective Tuition

State and Local Funding enable community colleges to charge 50% less than public 4-year institutions

Community College Community College Funding Sources Funding Sources

State Funds

Other

21%

9%

Local Funds

38%

17%

Federal Funds

15%

Tuition & Fees

Teaching and Learning Teaching and Learning FocusFocus

Classes are taught by faculty Classes are taught by faculty with advanced degrees as well with advanced degrees as well

as by instructors experienced in as by instructors experienced in their field their field

Programs designed for student Programs designed for student successsuccess

Small Classes (25-30 students) Small Classes (25-30 students) provide more opportunity for provide more opportunity for dialoguedialogue

Supportive Learning Environment to Supportive Learning Environment to Ensure Student SuccessEnsure Student Success

TutoringTutoring Academic AdvisingAcademic Advising Counseling Counseling Intensive English Intensive English

programsprograms Study Skills ClassesStudy Skills Classes Career PlanningCareer Planning Student ClubsStudent Clubs Cross-Cultural Cross-Cultural

ProgramsPrograms Assistance with Assistance with

HousingHousing

Housing Options at Housing Options at Community CollegesCommunity Colleges

25% have dorms on 25% have dorms on campuscampus

Others offer home Others offer home stays, apartments near stays, apartments near campus and/or provide campus and/or provide transportation to transportation to classesclasses

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

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 hasInvestment in education and training has a direct impact on the local taxa direct impact on the local tax base and ensures the ongoingbase and ensures the ongoing vitality of the local labor marketvitality of the local labor market

Degrees/Certificates Given Degrees/Certificates Given in Such Programs as…in Such Programs as…

Architectural DesignArchitectural Design Computer TechnologyComputer Technology Culinary ArtsCulinary Arts Diesel TechnologyDiesel Technology Digital ImagingDigital Imaging ElectronicsElectronics Fashion DesignFashion Design Graphic DesignGraphic Design Hospitality/TourismHospitality/Tourism Film & TV ProductionFilm & TV Production Health SciencesHealth Sciences Protective ServicesProtective Services

U.S. Community Colleges at the Forefront of…

57%

Degrees and Certificates Degrees and Certificates Change LivesChange Lives

Higher levels of Higher levels of education lead to education lead to higher earningshigher earnings

Community college Community college graduates generally graduates generally earn 20 to 30% more earn 20 to 30% more than people with than people with only high school only high school diplomasdiplomas

500,000 500,000

AssociateAssociate

Degrees*Degrees*

270,000Certificates*

*Annually Awarded

America Recovery and America Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)Reinvestment Act (ARRA)

Stimulus funds to retrain displaced workers and Stimulus funds to retrain displaced workers and to work with area industries that currently needs to work with area industries that currently needs workersworkers

Expertise IT and networking systemsExpertise IT and networking systems Create new “innovation economy jobs” to help Create new “innovation economy jobs” to help

foster economic growth and stabilityfoster economic growth and stability Colleges working with their one-stop career Colleges working with their one-stop career

centers to provide instruction for work in local centers to provide instruction for work in local community, i.e., medical fields, heating and community, i.e., medical fields, heating and cooling, constructioncooling, construction

President Obama’s President Obama’s Community College InitiativCommunity College Initiativee

$12 billion program $12 billion program designed to improve designed to improve student learning, track student learning, track progress and train progress and train workersworkers

Goal is to produce an Goal is to produce an additional 5 million cc additional 5 million cc graduates by 2020graduates by 2020

““The nation’s two-year The nation’s two-year colleges and their colleges and their students have students have experienced significant experienced significant economic hardship…. economic hardship…. We’re very concernedWe’re very concerned

about providing access and about providing access and

opportunityopportunity””

——Martha Kanter , Martha Kanter , Undersecretary of EducationUndersecretary of Education

Federal Opportunities to Help Federal Opportunities to Help Adults and Displaced WorkersAdults and Displaced Workers

U.S. Department of Education awarded U.S. Department of Education awarded 11.25 million to design and implement 29 11.25 million to design and implement 29 projects to help students pursue degrees projects to help students pursue degrees or credentials in U.S. community collegesor credentials in U.S. community colleges

Milwaukee Area Technical College (WI) Milwaukee Area Technical College (WI) will use grant to introduce students to will use grant to introduce students to construction careers in carpentry, construction careers in carpentry, masonry, electricity and green masonry, electricity and green technologies (i.e., weatherization)technologies (i.e., weatherization)

Washington State Initiative to Washington State Initiative to Increase Completion RatesIncrease Completion Rates

Funding: State Legislature, Bill & Melinda Funding: State Legislature, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Ford FoundationGates Foundation and Ford Foundation

Program will launch new programs and Program will launch new programs and expand successful demonstration efforts to expand successful demonstration efforts to address key barriers in student successaddress key barriers in student success

““Low-income young adults rely on community Low-income young adults rely on community colleges to get the skills they need in today’s colleges to get the skills they need in today’s economy but many struggle to succeed economy but many struggle to succeed despite their best efforts.” despite their best efforts.”

High Growth of Jobs RequiringHigh Growth of Jobs Requiringan Associate’s Degreean Associate’s Degree

Jobs requiring an associate’s

degree will grow 32% by 2010

A Prominent Profile in A Prominent Profile in Today’s WorkforceToday’s Workforce

Source: U.S. Census 2005

Bachelor’s Master’s ProfessionalDegree

Some Collegeor AS Degree

5%

10%

20%

15%

25%

30%

Education Profile of Today’s Workforce 25+ Years Old

Workforce Opportunities for Workforce Opportunities for Community College GraduatesCommunity College Graduates

Community & technical Community & technical colleges are committed to colleges are committed to addressing and solving addressing and solving workforce shortagesworkforce shortages

Students can obtain skills to Students can obtain skills to handle a wide range of jobs handle a wide range of jobs which need more than a high which need more than a high school education but not a 4-school education but not a 4-year degreeyear degree

Employers’ ViewpointEmployers’ Viewpoint

U.S. community colleges U.S. community colleges are increasingly seen as a are increasingly seen as a model to train a more model to train a more skilled workforceskilled workforce

95% of businesses and 95% of businesses and organizations that employ organizations that employ community college community college graduates commend their graduates commend their valuable workforce valuable workforce education and trainingeducation and training

U.S. Community Colleges are Winning the Skills Race

American community are theAmerican community are thenation’s overlooked asset….They nation’s overlooked asset….They are the Ellis Island of American higherare the Ellis Island of American highereducation, the crossroads at whicheducation, the crossroads at whichK–12 education meets colleges andK–12 education meets colleges anduniversities, and the institutions thatuniversities, and the institutions thatGive many students the tools to Give many students the tools to navigate the modern world.navigate the modern world.

College Board 2008College Board 2008

Industry and Colleges Industry and Colleges Working TogetherWorking Together

SunocoSunoco established a Center on Science and established a Center on Science and

Engineering Education at the Engineering Education at the Community College Community College

of Philadelphia of Philadelphia to—to— provide support for programs in science and provide support for programs in science and

technology;technology; foster student research;foster student research; identify faculty professional development identify faculty professional development

opportunities; and opportunities; and develop and implement new science technology develop and implement new science technology

certificates as needed to address emerging trendscertificates as needed to address emerging trends

Northeastern Wisconsin Northeastern Wisconsin Technical CollegeTechnical College

Woman working in a Woman working in a cabinetry plant cabinetry plant

Also takes courses in Also takes courses in green advanced green advanced manufacturing provided manufacturing provided by community collegeby community college

Now has ability to Now has ability to operate both the heavy operate both the heavy machinery and the machinery and the computer technologycomputer technology

Northeast Community College (Neb) Wind Technician Training

Equipment lent to college Equipment lent to college by local business partnerby local business partner

A learning environment is A learning environment is created for students to:created for students to:

practice in real turbinespractice in real turbines climb 252 feetclimb 252 feet operate powerful and operate powerful and

dangerous electrical dangerous electrical equipment within the equipment within the “confined space” (by “confined space” (by OSHA standards) of the OSHA standards) of the noseconenosecone

DeKalb Technical College (GA)DeKalb Technical College (GA)

Students are monitoring and updating Students are monitoring and updating electrical and mechanical buildings in electrical and mechanical buildings in several buildingsseveral buildings

Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority provide students with a “real world” provide students with a “real world” education in green technologyeducation in green technology

Continuing and Lifelong Continuing and Lifelong EducationEducation

Opportunities to Pursue New Opportunities to Pursue New Careers and Improve SkillsCareers and Improve Skills

Programs attract workers with bachelor’s Programs attract workers with bachelor’s and advanced degreesand advanced degrees

Many workers seek to improve skills or Many workers seek to improve skills or study for new careers (i.e., nursing, IT)study for new careers (i.e., nursing, IT)

Job search courses providedJob search courses provided Also courses for fun or self-improvement--Also courses for fun or self-improvement--

cooking, public speaking, music lessonscooking, public speaking, music lessons

Community Colleges Also Community Colleges Also Provide “Soft” Skills Provide “Soft” Skills

Workers need more than a high level Workers need more than a high level

technical ability. Essential to successtechnical ability. Essential to success:: Team WorkTeam Work CollaborationCollaboration InnovationInnovation Ability to apply learned information to work Ability to apply learned information to work

situationsituation Ability to CommunicateAbility to Communicate ConfidenceConfidence

Model for Other CountriesModel for Other Countries U.S. community colleges are increasingly seen as a U.S. community colleges are increasingly seen as a

model to train a more skilled work forcemodel to train a more skilled work force

A growing belief among community college officials A growing belief among community college officials that they must more effectively prepare students to that they must more effectively prepare students to work in a “borderless” worldwork in a “borderless” world

Community colleges meet needs through Community colleges meet needs through customized training of workers from specific customized training of workers from specific employers and specifically model their programs to employers and specifically model their programs to suit local populationssuit local populations

Chronicle of Higher Education, April 7, 2008Chronicle of Higher Education, April 7, 2008

Advocacy & OutreachAdvocacy & Outreach

Economic & Workforce DevelopmentEconomic & Workforce Development Global EducationGlobal Education

Communication & Networking Communication & Networking Research, Technology, Emerging TrendsResearch, Technology, Emerging Trends

Leadership DevelopmentLeadership Development Partnership/Exchange OpportunitiesPartnership/Exchange Opportunities

Relationships with Business & IndustryRelationships with Business & Industry

Promotes U.S. CommunityPromotes U.S. Community Colleges Locally & Colleges Locally &

GloballyGlobally

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

AACC Works Closely With…AACC Works Closely With…

U. S. Department of StateU. S. Department of State* * Consular BureauConsular Bureau

* Bureau-Education & Cultural Affairs* Bureau-Education & Cultural Affairs

* U.S. Embassies and Consulates * U.S. Embassies and Consulates

U. S. Department-Homeland SecurityU. S. Department-Homeland Security

* * International Student & Exchange International Student & Exchange

Program (SEVP)Program (SEVP)

U.S. Agency for International Dev U.S. Agency for International Dev

U.S. Department of EducationU.S. Department of Education * * Office of Vocational /Technical EdOffice of Vocational /Technical Ed

EducationEducation

And with…..And with…..

Academy for Educational DevelopmentAcademy for Educational Development American Council on EducationAmerican Council on Education Association of Community College TrusteesAssociation of Community College Trustees College BoardCollege Board Community Colleges for International Development (CCID)Community Colleges for International Development (CCID) Council for International Education of Scholars (CCIS)Council for International Education of Scholars (CCIS) Forum on Study AbroadForum on Study Abroad Institute of International Education (IIE)Institute of International Education (IIE) Georgetown University SEED (Scholarships for Education Georgetown University SEED (Scholarships for Education

and Economic Development) Programand Economic Development) Program NAFSA: International Association of EducatorsNAFSA: International Association of Educators

Embassy OutreachEmbassy Outreach IndiaIndia IndonesiaIndonesia ChinaChina Saudi Arabian Cultural MissionSaudi Arabian Cultural Mission VietnamVietnam

************ Embassy Dialogue CommitteeEmbassy Dialogue Committee

Washington, DC-based group affiliated with NAFSA and Washington, DC-based group affiliated with NAFSA and comprised of representatives from area colleges and comprised of representatives from area colleges and universities, embassies and education organizationsuniversities, embassies and education organizations

International PartnershipsInternational Partnerships China Education Association for China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE)International Exchange (CEAIE)

Association of Canadian CommunityAssociation of Canadian Community

Colleges (ACCC) MOU with AACC Colleges (ACCC) MOU with AACC to to promote promote greater student mobility and more rapid recognition of greater student mobility and more rapid recognition of credentials or promoting sustainable, integrated credentials or promoting sustainable, integrated development in rural areasdevelopment in rural areas

Vietnam Association of Community Vietnam Association of Community Colleges (VACCColleges (VACC))

Support Model

International Student International Student Recruitment ProgramRecruitment Program

In-Country FairsIn-Country Fairs

Student GuideStudent Guide

Web siteWeb site

Training WorkshopsTraining Workshops

““Community colleges have always been driven by what is Community colleges have always been driven by what is most relevant to the employment market.” most relevant to the employment market.”

Bill Gate, Microsoft CorporationBill Gate, Microsoft Corporation

““community Colleges community Colleges are a vital component are a vital component of our higher education of our higher education system, serving almost system, serving almost 50% of the 50% of the undergraduate undergraduate students in the U.S.” students in the U.S.”

Barack Obama, U.S. Barack Obama, U.S. PresidentPresident

National Testimony to the Value of U.S. Community

CollegesI have witnessed firsthand I have witnessed firsthand the power of a community the power of a community Colleges lives, and IColleges lives, and Ithink that the smaller class think that the smaller class sizes, the nurturing sizes, the nurturing environment, and the environment, and the personal contact make apersonal contact make adifference in supporting difference in supporting students. In my classes, Istudents. In my classes, Iget to know my students get to know my students well and am able to partnerwell and am able to partnerwith each of them to help with each of them to help them succeed. them succeed.

Jill Biden, Jill Biden, Wife of U.S. Vice PresidentWife of U.S. Vice President

Thank you!Judy Irwin