This is the first comprehensive and contemporary history of the largest and most diverse public system of higher education in the United States. Serving over 2 million students annually--approximately one-quarter of the nation's community college undergraduates--California's 116 community colleges play an indispensable role in career and transfer…

With a looming enrollment crisis, colleges must explore new efforts for developing strategic and sustainable partnerships that support institutional advancement. As such, Kent State University (KSU) partnered with three regional, two-year institutions developing high-impact pathways to expand upon the transfer student experience and success rates.…

Objective: Ideally, community colleges both democratize opportunity and develop in students the civic skills necessary to meaningfully participate in a democratic society. This national pilot study examines the individual and institutional factors associated with greater civic agency, capacity, behavior, and knowledge among students after at least…

The Center for an Urban Future (CUF) released a report last November asserting that, with a six-year graduation rate of 28 percent, City University of New York (CUNY) community colleges "should be doing much better." The report declared graduation rates "lackluster" and criticized community colleges for "not yet delivering…

This is a great time for individuals aspiring to the community college presidency. According to the 2012 American College President Study by the American Council on Education, in 2006, 47 percent of community college presidents were 51 to 60 years old and only 37 percent were between the ages of 61 and 70. More than five years later, 51 percent…

This special issue of Research in Comparative and International Education investigates the spread and development of two-year and community college institutions worldwide. While not all post-secondary education falls within the scope or definition of community colleges, both post-secondary and community college education tend to serve the needs of…

Community-based programming (CBP) is a cooperative process in which a community college serves as the leader and catalyst in effecting collaboration among the people, leaders and community organizations in its service area. This report discusses the changing role of the community college, the nature of CBP, and expected outcomes of the process,…

Defines community-based programing as a cooperative process in which the community college serves as leader and catalyst in effecting collaboration among community members, leaders, and groups. Recommends 15 tasks for community college leaders involved in community-based programing, including environmental scanning and coalition building. (DMM)

Describes Wenatchee Valley Community College's Community Resource Center (CRC), created to promote information exchange, community dialogue, and alliance building to help solve community problems. Reviews the role of the CRC's advisory board and the ways in which the CRC has served the community. (DMM)

The junior college is an important means of bringing about communication and action at the local level. Junior colleges can link existing citizen participation activities, provide information to improve project designs, and enhance the effectiveness of community action. Possible community involvement activities for junior colleges are suggested in…

Trustees from four prototypical community-based institutions in Virginia, Colorado, and Florida discuss how community and junior colleges serve the needs of their communities. Concerns include community access, responsiveness to change, and diverse opportunities. (DMM)

Examines ways in which community colleges promote social welfare, citing involvement with public and social services; programs dealing with equity issues, affirmative action, voter registration, etc.; programs for senior citizens and small businesses; and community use of health, athletic, and arts facilities. (DMM)

Provides a review of issues involved in interactions between community colleges and their communities, discussing community-based education and services, strategic planning, and community-based programming. Presents examples of current college-community collaborations to illustrate civic accountability. Suggests that these collaborations place…

Perceives the community college's image as distorted by the provision of hobby and recreation courses. Advocates linkages with other community organizations offering adult and community service programs. Calls for college involvement community development and the solution of urban and suburban problems. (DMM)

Examines the role of the community-based community college in community development, which is defined as a process by which the latent resources of a community are put to work on social problems within and identified by the community. (TP)