Identifies the strengths of North Carolina's community college system (i.e., community good will, high caliber faculty and staff, its willingness and ability to police itself, the long-range planning process, and the system's Commission on the Future). Looks at future directions and challenges. (DMM)

Explores the effects of pragmatic day-to-day considerations on mission and values within the North Carolina community college system. Reviews the public positions of representative power bases, stresses the importance of a strong mission policy grounded in tradition, and urges the state board to take a stronger leadership role. (DMM)

Reports on interviews conducted to assess the status of humanities instruction in North Carolina's community colleges. Includes Dallas Herring's reflections on the establishment and growth of the state's community college system. Summarizes interviews with central office representatives and two-year college managers concerning the mission and…