American Community College System Is

¶ … American community college system is currently having an identity crisis. From the readings, give an example and discuss from the following perspectives: Are community colleges still serving the same community? Are the demographics of the population which community college serves changing, and, if so, in what ways? Once upon a time, community colleges served a relatively limited population: usually students who did not feel that a four-year institution was well-suited to their future goals or resources.

Often these were students who had struggled academically in high school, and now sought technical proficiency at a trade. But the community has changed: more and more students are using community colleges as stepping-stones to four-year institutions, either to bolster their high school academic transcript, or to save money, given the increasing rates of tuition at all universities, the greater competition for entry into lower-cost state universities, and the increasingly competitive job market.

Conversely, because obtaining a college degree is seen as ubiquitous to being a competitive job-seeker, many weaker students may seek to attend a community college, although they never would have considered attending college at all in previous decades. Thus, the incoming population of recent high school graduates is far more academically diverse than ever before. In all: "more students will start undergraduate careers at community colleges.

About three-quarters of such colleges say enrollment increased at least 5% this year from a year earlier, according to a survey published on March 17 by the League for Innovation in the Community College" (Onaran 2008). Adults returning to school to change careers as well as to obtain their undergraduate degree are also part of America's community college population. These adults may have established a strong sense of vocational and academic competency in other fields before embarking upon a community college education.

Even adults with strong academic credentials may return to community college part-time to 'brush up' their out-of-date skills. The flexibility of scheduling at many community colleges makes it ideal for such individuals. The economic crisis has driven more students to community colleges in recent months, both young and old. A typical example of a recent high school graduate is that of Erica Espinosa, age 18, a graduate of Northwest High School in Germantown, Maryland.

Erica was accepted at the University of Maryland at College Park, which costs $21,163 for tuition, fees and housing and several other four-year schools but chose a full scholarship honors program at Montgomery College, where she can attend school for free and live at home. Her twin sister Ivone will study at a community college as well.

"It's a way to save money and have money to pay for the next two years and not come out with a big debt," said Erica, "It's too risky now to try anything else" (Strauss 2009). Right beside Erica are students from the financial industry, seeking to enter sectors of the job market with greater growth potential, such as that of healthcare and education. Community colleges enable adults to study part-time to become physician's assistants and to obtain teaching credentials.

Community colleges are serving more students -- and also, more well-educated students. Students like Erica Espinosa are often at the top of their graduating classes, and thus they will demand.