Discusses the role of scholarship, rather than research, in relation to the community college professional. Examines the positive and negative influences that four-year institutions have had and continue to have on community colleges. Explores ways community colleges can achieve more stature among institutions of higher education. (DMM)

Reviews changes in the community college movement, citing a 20-year history of teaching excellence as its greatest contribution and the failure to pursue scholarship in an orderly, systematic manner as its greatest flaw. Offers faculty members reasons, suggestions, and cautions regarding engagement in scholarship and research. (LAL)

Community colleges will achieve their full potential as institutions of higher education only when scholarship occupies a prominent place in the community college philosophy. The president must establish a climate on campus that promotes scholarship as well as teaching, and must himself be a scholar. (MSE)

The failure to include scholarship in the community college philosophy is a flaw that diminishes the colleges' status within higher education. A commitment to scholarship by community college professionals requires a broader definition of the term to include not only research that results in published articles, but any systematic pursuit of a…

Supports a broad definition of scholarship and suggests ways leaders can promote a sense of professionalism built around scholarly work. Considers the culture of the community college, the task of changing attitudes and campus climates, reward systems, examples of scholarly activities, and the role of the academic dean. (DMM)

Scholarship -- or, rather, the lack of it -- is a major weakness of the American community college. The most immediate problem the community colleges face in this area is that of developing a clear and meaningful definition of scholarship. Community colleges have paid little attention to scholarship for a number of reasons: (1) community colleges…

Asserts that a renewed commitment to scholarship should be made a top priority of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS). Defines and presents the benefits of scholarship for the system. Identifies some of the roles to be played by the chancellor, the college presidents and administrators, the faculty, and VCCS's new publication, Inquiry.…