A growing list of community colleges of all sizes is seeking--and raising--previously unheard-of sums through major campaigns, despite having significantly fewer staff members than their four-year counterparts. According to a recent CASE study of community college foundations, more than half of the respondents said they were planning, conducting,…

Given the stakes and the current economic climate, U.S. higher education officials across the country are stepping up their advocacy efforts, making their voices louder and more persistent than ever. They are vying for the attention of states struggling with increased demands for limited revenues, most choosing to divert dollars from higher…

Community colleges are often viewed as the gateway to higher education as well as institutions that can rapidly prepare students to enter the workforce. Yet, in spite of widespread acclaim for their effectiveness and success, community colleges have done very little to garner volunteer and financial support from their alumni. Admittedly, many…

Community colleges are enjoying a rare moment in the limelight right now. But part of what is being revealed by that light is just how much scrambling two-year institutions must do to keep up with increasing demands and decreasing budgets. With the recession sending many laid-off workers back to school for job retraining, and with President Barack…

Surveys expose differences in how chief development officers and institutional leaders view their fundraising roles. A recent survey of community college presidents and chief development officers shows, for example, that while 82 percent of presidents say they are comfortable asking for gifts, just 55 percent of fundraisers say the same of…

Community colleges have often gotten short shrift on the spectrum of higher education. Their policy of accessibility to all has often relegated them to a lower status than traditional, four-year institutions; and because they offer a wide range of programs, community colleges often defy easy description. But a challenging economy and a shift to…