COMBASE National Update Charlotte, NC September 16, 2008 George R. Boggs

Why Community Colleges are Important

Community Colleges in the US

Community College Values n Access >>> Success n Community Responsiveness n Clear Focus on Student Learning n Resourcefulness Entrepreneurial Spirit Creativeness Innovativeness

Changing Face of America

The Degree Gap Percent with BA or higher (2000) n 28% of whites n 17% of African Americans n 11% of Hispanics

Relationship of Income to College Access Rate Rate n 88.8% n 68.2% n 53.3% Family Income > $74,584 $25,064-$47,405 < $25,064

High Skilled & Unskilled Jobs as a % of the Workforce, 2000 to 2012 Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Societal Change

Certificates and Degrees change lives Higher levels of education lead to higher earnings for all racial and ethnic groups and for both men and women. People with associate degrees generally earn 20 to 30 percent more than people with only high school diplomas.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Shared Prosperity?

Projected Growth in Supply and Demand of Workers With Some Postsecondary Education, 1998 to 2028 Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau and National Alliance of Business Education Required

n 75% of new jobs require some post- secondary education. n Only 35% of Americans (25-34) have 2 or more years post-secondary education. –-Source: 2000 data National Information Center for Higher Ed. America’s Future at Stake

Job growth estimates for the 2010 workforce Based on 2005 U.S Census data + U.S. Department of Education, Office of Adult and Vocational Education, "The Economic Imperative for Improving Education," in The High School Leadership Summit, Issue Papers (Washington D.C., 2003), Figure 2.

Today’s Workforce: Data for 25+ year olds Source: 2005 U.S Census data

Overlapping these profiles shows a significant gap will need to be closed!

n “Work gets done where it can be done most efficiently and effectively.” (Friedman, 2005)

More Emphasis on STEM Competitiveness n NAS Gathering Storm report n Friedman’s flat world n NSB commission n ACGs and SMART Grants –WDI –AACC/NSF ATE PI conference

More Enrollment Pressure for CCs n Rising university tuition costs and increased selectivity will drive more students to CCs n Increased need for LLL will drive up enrollments n Retiring Baby Boomers will increase enrollments

Immigration will remain a political issue for a while n DREAM act will still be politically sensitive n May cool somewhat if economy continues to be strong n Growing recognition for need to retain some international students

Accountability Again n More focus on success of students—not just access n Evidence of student learning will be required by accrediting agencies, states, and federal government n Colleges will move toward a culture of evidence and use of data

We can help more community college students succeed n Achieving the Dream is about being open and forthright about performance — and doing what it takes to improve it.

Trend for Increased Student Mobility, but many are Place-Bound n Better articulation agreements with universities n More university centers on CC campuses n More distance learning opportunities

More Focus on K-12 Transitions n Expectations for HE need to be made clear n Transitions need to be improved –League’s CCTI –GEAR-UP –Concurrent enrollment –Middle College HS

Growing Importance of Global & Intercultural Education n Emerging global society and economy –Friedman’s flat world –Bush National Defense Foreign Language Initiative –AACC work with Dept. of State –AACC Recruitment efforts n Trips, Web page, study guide, map

Funding Issues will Remain n More competition for state resources n For-profit institutions will become more aggressive in seeking public funds n CCs will become more adept in seeking private resources, earmarks, and grant funds

Current Issues n Presidential Campaigns n Campus safety and security n Accreditation challenges n Leadership and faculty turnover n Environmental Issues n Additional Policy Issues –WIA Reauthorization, Tax Issues, etc.

American Association of Community Colleges The Voice of America’s Community Colleges