Community Colleges: A Stepchild – Forever?
By Mellander, Gustavo A | |
Proquest LLC |
It all began in 1901 when
Harper was a brilliant child prodigy who at the age of 8 was studying college courses. Admitted to college at the age of 10, he graduated at 14. In 1891 John D. Rockefeller selected Harper to organize the embryonic
From the helm of the university, Harper lamented for years that his faculty was "wasting" its time teaching freshmen and sophomores. He wanted them to concentrate on senior and graduate level courses. Harper launched a campaign to bring that about and since he was a gifted speaker, he ultimately won the day.
His persistent griping led to the creation of a wholly American higher education innovation: colleges that would offer the first two years of college courses. Graduates from those institutions, it was hoped, would be a bit more mature after two years and would then transfer to universities prepared to undertake the rigors of higher education.
The first college founded was
Harper's idea caught on quickly and "junior colleges" spread to various other states. Most were very effective as transfer-oriented institutions. But even as late as the 1980s some fouryear colleges and universities refused to accept certain credits as mundane as freshman English from a community college. It placed many a student in a bind because they had to repeat courses all over again.
Soon after their emergence junior colleges began offering a second track of terminal professional studies for students who did not want to transfer to a four-year college and instead wanted training for a particular professional career. In some states technical institutes were created to meet local employment needs. Flexibility has always been part and parcel of community colleges.
All in all their track record has been enviable. They have enjoyed a high level of success and have helped millions.
Stepchildren
Unfortunately, from the very beginning they were the stepchildren of higher education. Scorned and ridiculed by many if not most, they trudged on offering college education at very low tuition rates. Families also saved money since students lived at home. At first colleges struggled with various degrees of local support, but nonetheless they helped a generation of students who could not afford to attend a university.
The good times of the 1920s morphed into the devastating Great Depression. In its depths the federal government established a number of junior colleges in several states and even as far as the
The enormous growth period for community colleges came after
The G.I. Bill was popular but had more opposition among academia than many suspect. It did because similar legislation was passed after
Faculty members rigidly refused to accept this new class of student or meet their particular needs. They were accustomed to teaching the nation's prep-schooled elite in the 1920s as they had for over a century. Curricula and student services were geared to "young gentlemen" from the financially secure class. They studied, but not too hard, for they knew they were destined to succeed given their family connections. They were content to earn a "Gentleman's C" and graduate. There were, of course, exceptions, but they were just that, exceptions. In short,
A different breed
The wave of
Community colleges began to sprout up everywhere. Most states joined the parade.
Those were heady times. A new college was launched every month, in some states every week.
Local community support was essential. It was invariably there. Taxes were raised, bonds floated, land granted and other support was gladly given. The pioneering spirit surged once again.
The good news is that with few exceptions community colleges succeeded as indeed did their students. Some learned new skills and moved on. Others came for academic degrees and transferred on to achieve greater successes as juniors than those who had entered as freshmen at the receiving colleges or universities.
But something else happened; community colleges were transformed into vibrant, service-oriented community institutions. They were primarily academic, education-providing centers but unlike many private and public colleges, they adopted their neighboring region. They partnered with them to become cultural centers, adult education centers, and cooperative partners with the local high schools.
They also opened their doors to the unemployed, the under-employed, the recently divorced, those seeking a new career and all others who could benefit from either taking a single course or pursuing a full-fledged academic program.
Comprehensive community colleges
Before the 1970s, community colleges were called junior colleges. Today, junior college normally describes private twoyear institutions, whereas the term community college describes publicly funded two-year institutions. Many have added the term "comprehensive" to describe their complex institutions. They typically offer six areas of post-secondary education:
1. Transfer education - The traditional two-year AA student who transfers to a four-year institution to pursue a BA/BS degree.
2. Career education - The traditional two-year AS student who enters the workforce upon graduation.
3. Developmental - Remedial education for those not academically prepared to enroll in college-level courses.
4. Continuing Ed - Non-credit courses offered to the community for personal development and interest.
5. Industry training - Contracted training education for local companies to provide specific training or courses for their employees.
6. eLearning - Distance learning occurs online using one's computer and proctored exams.
In the last decade as more and more community college alumni achieved positions of high visibility in business and government circles, the attitude toward community colleges mellowed. Buttressed by millions of others who entered higher education through their local community college and succeeded as well, these institutions are finally being respected in many circles.
I thus looked forward to reading a
What a disappointment!! Let me begin, the article undertook to rank "two-year community colleges and technical centers around the country to see where students can get the best, affordable start in their college careers."
The author accurately pointed out that community colleges serve nearly half of all U.S. undergraduate students. I add that far more than half of Hispanics begin their higher education at their local community college.
The article sought to select "the best and brightest schools as to six criteria: graduation rate; student retention rate; the student-faculty ratio; the school's in-state tuition and fees; the percentage of full-time, first-time undergraduates receiving financial aid; and the average amount of grant aid they received from federal, state and private sources combined."
The article identified "the top 10 community colleges in the country based on
I list them as the author did in descending order.
10.
9.
8.
7.
6.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1.
I am stunned by the selection. Let me point out, I think
The quotes are revealing and highlight a spirit of service. I am sure the students are well served. But to identify these as among the top 10 community colleges in America is astonishing. And I fear inaccurate and misleading.
I have studied and visited numerous community colleges nationwide from
I have written some 25 articles about community colleges and co-authored a book with the highly respected community college authority Dr.
After leaving my last presidency, I directed a doctoral level program at
I repeat I am sure these 10 institutions are worthy and are helping students. But, to be painfully honest I don't see any of them on a top 10 list of community colleges.
Secondly, I fear the list is counterproductive for it will give the impression that community colleges are basically technical institutes. I respect good technical institutes but community colleges are a lot more than that. Some very good ones don't even offer technical education.
Maybe the results are so skewed because of the criteria they selected. Unfortunately, I fear the casual observer or one already pre-disposed to denigrate community colleges will find support for their prejudiced opinions.
Question: Will community colleges ever be respected for their accomplishments?
Yes, of course, and that day is near, as more and more graduates succeed, acknowledgement will follow.
But 113 years seems like a long time to wait.
Dr. MeUander was a university dean for 15 years and a college president for 20.
Copyright: | (c) 2014 The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education |
Wordcount: | 1921 |
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