ERIC Number: ED663062
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 186
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-8960-7615-5
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Reimagining Non-Credit Higher Education: The Impact of Non-Credit Short-Term Accelerated Postsecondary Workforce Training at Santa Fe Community College
Monique Anair
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, The University of North Dakota
An estimated five million Americans participate in non-credit college and university classes annually. The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) does not require the reporting of non-credit student postsecondary enrollment, which means there is a lack of data about non-credit higher education. This qualitative case study provides a deeper understanding of 14 student experiences at Santa Fe Community College who participated in non-credit, short-term, accelerated workforce training programs. The findings reveal that students who engage in Santa Fe Community College's non-credit postsecondary opportunities, are low-wage or unemployed working age adults who value short-term non-credit programs because they lead to higher wage job attainment and personal resiliency. The information gathered in the case study shows that non-credit, short-term, accelerated workforce programs can confer critical technological and interpersonal skill sets necessary for emerging 21st century jobs. The implication of these findings supports the urgent need to gather non-credit student enrollment data to better support non-credit students through; (a) direct resource allocation; (b) needs-based financial aid; (c) employer-college partnerships; (d) increased durable skills training; and (e) the creation of new systems of higher education that increase postsecondary access to currently marginalized student populations. The findings discussed here inform the production of the ten-minute documentary film, "Getting Pointed in the Right Direction: Reimaging Non-Credit Higher Education," created as part of this case study. The documentary film demonstrates how Santa Fe Community College students use non-credit workforce education to acquire new skills and increase their ability to navigate complex career entry points. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Community Colleges, Noncredit Courses, Minicourses, On the Job Training, Community College Students, Low Income Students, Unemployment, Unskilled Workers, Semiskilled Workers, Resilience (Psychology), Employment Level, Employment Opportunities, 21st Century Skills, Access to Education
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; Two Year Colleges
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: New Mexico
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A