APA 2002 Preparing Future Faculty Community College Teaching: A Chance to Make a Difference Dr. Diane Finley Associate Professor, Psychology Prince George’s Community College Largo, Maryland

APA 2002 Preparing Future Faculty What is a Community College? (Historically) First community college was founded in 1901 – Joliet (IL) Junior College In early years, focus was on general liberal arts During the Depression, community colleges began offering job programs In 1948, the Truman Commission promoted the creation of a network of community colleges National Network was in place by the 1960s with 457 public community college

APA 2002 Preparing Future Faculty What is a Community College? (Today) Community colleges educate more than one-half of the nation’s undergraduates They offer transfer programs, workforce training and non-credit “enrichment” courses Each is a distinct institution with its own goals and missions but they share goals of access and service They are becoming “centers of education open to all” (AACC) There are 1004 public institutions and 147 independent ones. They enroll 10.4 million students

APA 2002 Preparing Future Faculty Who are community college students today? 44% of all undergraduates 45% of first-time first year students 58% are women 46% of African-American students 55% of Hispanic/Latino students 55% of Native American students 46% of Asian/Pacific Islanders 63% are part time (11 or fewer credits) 33% receive some sort of financial aid (tuition averages $1500) Average age: 29

APA 2002 Preparing Future Faculty Students, cont. 60% of those taking the RN tests are graduates of associates programs 65% of new healthcare workers get their training at community colleges In Maryland 60% of elementary teachers begin their careers at community colleges 450,000 earn associate’s degrees annually

APA 2002 Preparing Future Faculty Famous Community College Students Gwendolyn Brooks, Poet Laureate, Kennedy-King College Billy Crystal, Comedian, Nassau Community College Annette Bening, Actress, San Diego Mesa College J. Craig Venter, Celera Genomics Corp, College of San Mateo Nolan Ryan, Pitcher Sheryl Swoopes, Professional Basketball Player 39 current members of Congress

APA 2002 Preparing Future Faculty Who are community college faculty today? 254,000 faculty 44% are female (will increase in future) 15% are minorities (number is shrinking) 45% are over 49 years of age (1/2 will retire in the next 15 years) 53% are part-time 65%have a master’s as their highest degree 25% engage in research (often teaching related and involving students)

APA 2002 Preparing Future Faculty My journey High School English teacher Master’s in Counseling Chaplain/Counselor PhD program Teaching at the College level: four year liberal arts college four years adjunct/visiting: community college, 4 year liberal arts, weekend college, graduate counseling program, comprehensive university, distance courses; Community College of Baltimore County Prince George’s Community College

APA 2002 Preparing Future Faculty Pros of teaching at this level Celebrates teaching Low student/faculty ratios Opportunity to shape core curriculum Opportunity to influence students Diverse student body Flexible teaching schedules Tenure process less onerous Salary schedules recognize prior teaching

APA 2002 Preparing Future Faculty Cons of teaching at this level Reliance on part-timers Less prepared student body Limited course offerings Teach 5 courses a semester

APA 2002 Preparing Future Faculty Advice to new and soon-to-be graduates Think long and hard about your career goals Test out the environment by adjuncting while in graduate school You will have to seek out mentors who will support your choice of a community college You may face some resistance from hiring committees – prepare a set of application materials that focus on your teaching experiences and your desire to work with students, not to do research Read the literature on teaching and the community college journals Get any and all teaching experience you can, especially for lower level courses If you teach at a community college, be sure to get a letter of recommendation from the chair or another faculty member.