How Community Colleges Changed America

Community colleges in the United States develop rapidly and have become a vital component of the postsecondary education delivery system. As of 2011-2012 school year, 45% of all undergraduate students were enrolled in public two-year colleges, approximately 8.3 million students (Knapp et al., 2012. Cited by AACC Fast Facts). And it seems that with globalization and Obama’s education agenda, the trend of growing enrollment in community colleges won’t change. A high school graduate who decides to pursue postsecondary education may face with a dilemma--whether enroll in a community college or a traditional four-year college. Even within a community college, a student may be faced with a choice—enroll in a vocational program and enter workforce after graduation with a vocational certification, or choose an academic program with an intention of transferring to four-year institutions.

Life skills play an important role for becoming successful professionally and improving our personal lives. Oprah, in her lifeclass video, talks about being responsible for yourself and not waiting for anyone else to change the circumstances around you as a way to develop the skills necessary to flourish. The story of Robert Sherfields first experience at community college, “How Community College Changed My Life” tells of how Mr. Sherfield let go of his past failures and worked toward a better future for himself. The quote by Charles Noble “First we make our habits, then our habits make us!” is great to remember when developing the life skills necessary to continue to grow in all aspects of our lives. The video, story and quote can all be connected, good habits produce responsible people. Responsible people are aware of their

In “Two Years Are Better Than One” by Liz Addison, the author explains that two year colleges are better than four. She begins with a quote of Rick Perlstein, her professor, who believes college is no longer important compared to how they used to be. On the other hand, the author claims that college will always matter. In fact, she argues that community colleges are better because they don’t only let you have the college experience, but they allow less fortunate students to continue their education. “The community college system is American’s hidden public service gem.” The author states that as any other four-year university, community colleges should also receive credit and more recognition. She gives an example of how a newspaper had an article describing a “college application essay” workshop for low income students, the author shares with us that she was upset that the newspaper ignored community colleges. She explains that community colleges help students to begin and to pursue their dreams. I believe community colleges, surely are better than four-year university, because community colleges prepare you to later on move on to a university, if you choose to.

College: What is Was, Is and Should Be, by Andrew Delbanco takes both a historical and analytical approach to the evolution of higher education institutions in the United States. While thought provoking, some of his views balance on the verge of extremity. Many colleges provide students with the skills necessary for what is happening in society at that moment. This is exemplified in how the application process has changed from the earliest colleges to today. Also, when colleges were first introduced into society, students were recommended by members of society to attend a school, which is much different than the process today. Another aspect of what Delbanco discusses in his book is the disparity between a small liberal arts college and

In the article “Two Years Are Better Than Four” author Liz Addison writes about how community college is a forgotten option for many students in America, and that it is not well advertised like the universities are. She writes about how community college is a great option for students who need a less expensive option, but still want a chance to further their education. Addison also writes about how they allow everyone to attend so you can “just begin”. Community college is a great option for many students because it allows for an affordable option for students to continue their education.

The President’s Commission on Higher Education was formed with the basis of exploring the purpose and the need for Higher Education and the role it played in society. During 1947 there were many issues affecting not just Higher Education but the nation as a whole. Foreign policy was in disarray, the threat of a Cold War with the Soviet Union and issues such as the post effects of World War II and Civil Rights had a huge impact on the home front. According to Wolfe (1994), there was a growing need of Americans that wanted to be educated; however the country was not equipped with the tools that were necessary to provide these sources. The report highlighted several key areas that would be the catalyst for Community Colleges, Societal Issues, the Role of Community Colleges, and the future of American.

In today’s society furthering your education is becoming the norm. Before I get into my summary of “How community colleges changed education around America” I want to give you some insight on community colleges. Community colleges have become a staple in communities around the USA. These Colleges have grown tremendously. They have changed as times have changed and they are also able to cater to their student’s needs.

Do you know any person who just graduated high school and that person does not want to go to college? Many students today make a decision that can change the outcome of their life. By deciding whether to go to college or not? Many high school students don’t want to further their studies because they do not want to be locked up in a small classroom and they just want to start their lives with small jobs they can. What high school students do not know is that going to college can change their lifestyle of living. This is a best thing a student should do to get success because a high school education is good to have but it is not going to get students certain job opportunities. Community colleges give a chance to everyone who wants to follow their dreams to do something. Additionally, the doors are open to everybody with even a low-income person

In high school, students have the tendency to think that community college is something that is bad. In “Confessions Of A Girl Who Was ‘Too Smart For Community College’,” Chelsea Fagan talks about how in school, she had a hard time in school with her grades and how her school showed off kids that went to college on a bulletin board. She tried everything to avoid going to a community college. Only for the reason that there was a “stigma” on how community colleges are mostly frowned upon or even laughed at (Fagan). Being rejected from many colleges she then convinced herself that she was too smart to go to a community college. Later on she reluctantly went to community college expecting it to be terrible. She quickly realized that community college was a great place to be. Later on, this gave her opening to go to other places. She closes off with her stating how community college is a great place financially and also a great place to mature. In “Confessions Of A Girl Who Was ‘Too Smart For Community College,’” Chelsea Fagan’s simple structure and casual tone make it easy for a reader to understand her main point, and I agree with her concerns on the reproach of community college, but she never really explained why community college was great other than her thoughts on it being cheaper making her argument a little weak.

Perhaps some student aren’t ready to jump into four year college right after high school. Perhaps some students don’t have enough money or funding to afford four year colleges. For those who trying start taking classes, a community college, two years colleges or vocational school might a good place to get adjusted for college or for training to enter the workforce early. Liz Addison, supporter for two-year community colleges, considers community colleges the ideal place to begin and that it is not important to make the jump into a four-year university. In her essay, “Two Years Are Better than Four,” Addison portrays the theory of the community college. She assumes “The philosophy of the community college, and I have been to two of them, is one that conditionally allows its students to begin” (256). Her assumption are based on her idea “the community college system is America’s hidden public service gem” (257). A similar idea that Charles Murray believes in. He also believes community colleges the ideal place to begin for those who are training to enter the workforce early. He states “Try to force her (for example, by setting up a demanding core curriculum), and she will transfer to another school, because she is in college for vocational training. She wants to write computer code. Start a business. Get a job in television. She uses college to take vocational courses that pertain to her career interests.”().These to supporters of two years colleges and vocational training are encouraging students looking for place to start or those who are trying to get certain skills to join the

Community college is an ideal sources for obtaining higher education for many reasons. First, local community colleges provide an affordable alternative to large public and private universities (Grimes, Rezek, Campbell, 2013). In addition to serving as a gateway for economically disadvantaged students, local community colleges serve as a gateway for less academically qualified students (Grimes, Rezek, Campbell, 2013). Many students who are unable to attend highly selective colleges can attend community colleges, obtain a degree and/or transfer to a school that offers or more diverse degree programs (J. Doe, personal communication, November 11, 2015).

There isn't anything more important to community colleges than the certainty that they can and should provide all qualified people who are looking to be accepted with admittance (Vaughan). The people of the community college represent forty-four percent of all undergraduates and forty-nine percent of students attending college for the first time (David). These students include a lot of minority students, students with a low social standing and the non-standard (age twenty-five and older) student who commonly enters college less academically equipped (David). Most community colleges have made immense advancement in reducing a lot of geographical and economic blockades that have in the past limited college admittance (David). Community

For whom who graduated from high school will continue with their higher education level. Most of students think that if they graduate from college or four years university they will have a chance to work on the professional field rather than minimum wages. It is a good opportunity for whose low income students can make through and receive their college degree. To support my point, in the article “Expanding Community College Access” I agree with the President Obama that, “ASAP, which began in 2007, provides money for books, coaching, tutoring, tuition waivers and transportation. Fifty-seven percent of last year’s graduates finished in three years; compare to the traditional students, where the three-year graduation rate hover around 15 percent.” (Naughton). With the high percentage graduated of ASAP program provides, the state should be agreed that the community college tuition should be waved .

Community colleges, sometimes called junior colleges, are two-year schools that provide postsecondary education as a pathway to a four-year degree. A lot of talented people who can do great things have to give up their dreams and start a full-time job right after high schools because they cannot pay their community college tuition and getting student loans can be a huge burden. Every one of us can think of a person who, although having a huge potential, did not go to college because of its cost. And every single person not getting their education because of

Since there are four guided questions to help address the main research question. There will also be some subtopics to help us better understand the reasoning toward the altered mission of community colleges. First, I will discuss about the first community college founded in American history of higher education and its mission, the influences on community college mission during the Depression era, and the intention of community college mission after the World War II era. Second, I will report what I have found about the impact on community college to alter their institution from a 2 years institution to a 4 years institution. Third, I will discuss what the organizational culture was like today compared to the twentieth century. Lastly, I will examine some of the societal factors that impact the altered mission of community colleges.