1 Community Colleges: Past, Present and Opportunities for Cooperation

2 Topics for Discussion Basics of the American education system A look at the American higher education system What is a community college? Elgin Community College: >Overview >Facts >Figures Questions

3 American Education System Public and private schools; homeschooling Public school funding comes from local, state and federal government. State governments have control over public school systems within their state boundaries. Education is compulsory; age varies based on state (5-8 years old to years old)

4 American Education System

5 American Education System District 509 Corron Elementary School (Primary) Central Middle School (Junior High) Jacobs High School (Senior High School)

6 American Higher Education System Public and private institutions Non-for-profit and profit Higher education is not compulsory. There are roughly 4500 institutions of higher learning in the U.S. Funding comes from various sources: tuition, endowments, public (government) support and outside grants, etc.

7 American Higher Education System

8 What is a Community College? A community college, also known as a two-year or junior college, offers the first two years of a bachelor’s degree. Community colleges also offer career-technical programs, certificate programs, and non-credit community programming. Many students choose to complete an associate degree at a community college and then “transfer” to a four-year university/college. Approximately 40% of all undergraduates in the U.S. study in community colleges.

9 What is a Community College? 2 years = Associate degree

Elgin Community College Mission: To improve people’s lives through learning Founded in 1949 in Elgin, Illinois, northwest of Chicago Governed by the seven-member Board of Trustees of Community College District 509 Hired David A. Sam, PhD, JD, as the eighth CEO of the college in February 2007 Fully accredited through $34.2 million in unrestricted net assets; $20.3 million in restricted Passed a $178 million capital referendum in April

11 Elgin Community College Area: 360 square miles Residential population: 480,000 Businesses in district: 10,500 Serves 33 municipalities in five counties The U.S. Department of Education designated ECC an Hispanic-Serving Institution. ECC was named an Achieving the Dream Leader College in 2012, the first in Illinois.

Elgin Community College Degrees: Associate in Arts, Associate in Engineering Science, Associate in Fine Arts, Associate in Liberal Studies, Associate in Science, Associate in Applied Science Certificates: Basic Vocational Specialist Certificate, Vocational Specialist Certificate Popular majors: Business, Science, Health Careers, English, Education, Engineering 12

ECC is growing! Credit enrollment since Elgin Community College

14 Elgin Community College The Achieving the Dream initiative Elgin Community College is one of only five community colleges in Illinois selected to participate in the nationally recognized Achieving the Dream initiative. Achieving the Dream colleges commit to reducing barriers to success for historically underrepresented groups, increasing access and the percentage of students who:  Successfully complete the courses they take;  Advance from remedial to credit courses;  Enroll in and successfully complete gateway courses;  Enroll from one semester to the next; and  Earn degrees and/or certificate.

Elgin Community College Fiscally Responsible ECC receives clean audits annually. ECC has earned an AAA credit rating from Moody’s Investors Service and an +AA rating from Standard & Poor’s. ECC has received the Excellence in Financial Reporting Award from Government Finance officers Association (GFOA) 10 years in a row. ECC has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the GFOA for the past four years. 15

Community Colleges- Opportunities for International Cooperation  Faculty and Student Exchange  Hosting international students  Cooperation in areas of technical, career, and business programs  Conferences and expos  Working on building bridges between European and American education  “Buddy programs” 16

Becoming an American student - why choose community college?  The academic and social benefits of a major college plus the small class size, personal attention and friendliness usually associated with a private college.  Degrees that transfer seamlessly to virtually all U.S. colleges or universities.  Partnerships with a number of colleges and universities to provide greater and more immediate access to upper-level, baccalaureate degrees.  Affordable tuition that is half the cost of a four-year public university and a fraction of charges at private universities  Diverse student population and friendly campus 17

A Genius Commercial Genius

Questions? 19

20 Bright Choice. Bright Future. Elgin Community College 20