2018 Survey of Community College Presidents An Inside Higher Ed webcast Tuesday, May 22 2 p.m. Eastern

Presenters Scott Jaschik, editor, Inside Higher Ed scott.jaschik@insidehighered.com Doug Lederman, editor, Inside Higher Ed doug.lederman@insidehighered.com

Methodology Survey questions were drafted by Inside Higher Ed in collaboration with Gallup. Responses received from 177 presidents or chancellors. Responses are completely confidential. Survey was in field in January and February of 2018.

Enrollment Woes Enrollment, Compared to 3 Years Ago Down 10% or more 17% Down 5% to 10% 26% Down less than 5% 14% Stable 20% Up 22%

Could the Enrollment Declines Be Worse Than Numbers Suggest?

Strategies to Recruit More Students Strategy Enrollment Down Enrollment Stable or Up Adding new programs 77% 86% Making it easier to transfer to 4-year colleges 75% 73% Adding online programs 68% Increasing marketing budgets 67% 44% Keep tuition flat or cut tuition 32% 19%

Free Community College 87% of presidents anticipate additional expansion of free community college efforts. 76% say that free community college movement is having a positive impact on community colleges.

Issues Associated With Free Will states provide the money to offset lost tuition revenue? Can idea expand beyond traditional college- age students? Are states attaching the right requirements?

Skepticism on Free Tuition for Four-Year Public Colleges The adoption of free four-year public tuition … Helps community colleges a lot 3% Helps community colleges a little 14% Has no effect on community colleges 4% Hurts community colleges a little 35% Hurts community colleges a lot 44%

Barriers to Transfer Very significant Somewhat significant Not very significant Not significant Lack of clear pathways 42% 48% 9% 1% Lack of academic advising 24% 51% 21% 3% Lack of interest (publics) 25% 22% 4% Lack of interest (privates) 23% 44% 10% Unwilling to accept transfer credit (publics) 29% 31% 14% Unwilling to accept transfer credit (privates) 15% 41% 28% 16% Lack of student interest 8% 45% 34% 13% Lack of programs 33% 40%

Success vs. Rigor 41% agree that pressure to show dramatic gains in graduation rates creates incentives to cut corners. 57% agree that some “completion agenda” reforms may not result in improved teaching and learning. 10% said their college has taken steps to improve completion rates that may not result in improved learning outcomes.

Future of the Presidency 28% report that they are impressed with pool of potential community college presidents. 45% say that there are not enough female candidates. 68% say that there are not enough minority candidates.

Issues on the Horizon Online education in light of California proposals Trump criticism of community colleges Proposals on apprenticeships (We’ll probably be asking about these next year.)

Q&A Your questions Ideas for coverage

With Thanks …