CC News

Posted 1/27/2011

Obama Supports Community Colleges in State of the Union Address  In his State of the Union Address on January 27th, President Obama called for the investment in jobs, skills, and education by urging the Senate to pass a bill that supports Community Colleges, stating Community Colleges are a “career pathway” to many.

President Obama also expressed his wishes to renew the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to focus on college access and affordability through the increase of Pell grants and tax credits.

“… I urge the Senate to follow the House and pass a bill that will revitalize our community colleges, which are a career pathway to the children of so many working families.

 BC3 seeks community support to ensure state funding for community colleges

The College asks residents to sign the petition to support the AdvancePA Campaign06.18.2010– (Butler, PA) Butler County Community College is requesting that residents in Butler, Mercer and Lawrence counties sign a petition in support of Pennsylvania community colleges. The effort is part of a state-wide advocacy campaign sponsored by the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges which asks policymakers and statewide political candidates to make funding for community colleges a priority. Article written by Butler County Community College Social Media Release

To read more visit: http://www.pitchengine.com/butlercountycommunitycollege/bc3-seeks-community-support-to-ensure-state-funding-for-community-colleges/70700/
For more information about AdvancePA campaign or to sign the petition to make PA community colleges an economic priority visit: http://www.advancepa.net/

Community College Primer from AcademixDirectCategory Oct 15th, 2010 The national spotlight is firmly cast on the importance of a college degree and community colleges are now receiving increased attention, as evidenced by President Obama’s recent Summit on Community Colleges, the first of its kind in the nation. If you’re curious about what community colleges have to offer, here’s a primer:

The Daily Item    October 5, 2010 Big-name companies to help colleges train workers By Eric Gorski Associated Press Tue Oct 05, 2010, 02:54 PM EDT WASHINGTON – As the White House stages a first-of-its-kind community college summit today, the Obama administration is proposing that stronger partnerships between two-year public colleges and big-name U.S. employers such as McDonald’s and The Gap will help better match workers with jobs during the economic recovery and beyond.Community college officials welcomed the new initiative, “Skills for America’s Future.”  Read more: http://dailyitem.com/0100_news/x1644183449/Big-name-companies-to-help-colleges-train-workers

Gates Gives $35 Million to Boost Community College Graduation

To Read More: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-10-04/gates-gives-35-million-to-boost-community-college-graduation.html

Obama, Biden, Gates Focus on Community Colleges for Job Skills

Gates Pledges $34.8 Million for Community Colleges at White House Summit

Julia Edwards

Philanthropist Melinda Gates announced a $34.8-million award to high-performing community colleges Tuesday at the White House’s first summit on community colleges, an effort by the Obama administration to promote the schools as a path to jobs for middle-class Americans.
“In this country hard work is supposed to pay off,” Melinda Gates said. “And I’m excited to see so many people come here today to guarantee that it pays off for young adults who attend community colleges.”
President Barack Obama praised community colleges for opening doors to workers in need of low-cost degrees and announced new funding to increase graduation and job-placement rates.
Second Lady Jill Biden, a community college instructor, called community colleges “America’s best-kept secrets.” She has been appointed by the administration to help America regain its standing as the nation with the highest proportion of college degrees by 2020.  

To Read More: http://technews.tmcnet.com/topics/associated-press/articles/107347-obama-seeks-boost-community-colleges.htm

Four-Year College Doesn’t Fit All

…”The vast majority of high school students plan to attend college — and believe that a bachelor’s degree all but guarantees them a high-paying job. What many of them don’t know is that those who are not well prepared are not likely to graduate. They also don’t realize that plenty of career-focused certificates and associate’s degrees lead to satisfying careers that pay just as well as, and sometimes better than, careers that require a bachelor’s degree. If detailed information on the broad array of higher education and career options were made available to them, students would have more incentive to work hard in high school and a better chance of achieving their dreams.”

To Read More:http://communitycollegespotlight.org/content/four-year-college-doesnt-fit-all_2002/

Community Colleges Atract More Students Than Ever Before

Community colleges across the country are now teaching more students than ever before. According to USA Today, Enrollment has soared for schools that cater to two-year degree programs...

“I’m thinking about going to Pellissippi and getting my pre-requisites there,” Hodges said.The high school senior wants to eventually become a nurse. But instead of attending a four year university, she plans to do half the time at a community college and half at a university.

“I think it will be cheaper that way,” Hodges said. “They offer enough at a community college, more than a four year at a cheaper price.”

To Read More:http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=136274&catid=2

Moms: Community College and You

Community colleges often get picked on. For busy moms community college can be a wonderful idea. There are a number of academic and personal benefits to attending a junior college, and these schools eagerly welcome high-achievers. Add in a financial advantage or two and your education is within reach.

To Read More: http://education.ezinemark.com/moms-community-college-and-you-168c69fb2fc.html

The Many Advantages of  A Community College

Is a varsity degree worth a bit more than the paper it is written on? Many are convinced therefore while others think you can get just as far if you’ve been to a community college. Let’s weigh up some of the facts and see what the difference truly is. While having a school degree doesn’t guarantee work, it actually improves your probabilities.

To Read More:http://newbizine.com/the-many-advantages-of-a-community-college/

Why You Should Consider A Community College

Most students and parents don’t think of considering a community college as a path to a degree or career. Increasingly, these local institutions are becoming the choice of many high school graduates. The following are 4 reasons why you should consider a community college to begin your higher education.

To Read More: http://education.ezinemark.com/why-you-should-consider-a-community-college-4f42b6b17c8.html

The Smartest Students in America Go To…Community Colleges 

Ask anyone you know where the smartest people in America go to college.

Chances are you’ll get at the same answers: Harvard, MIT, Yale, etc.

But I don’t think that’s true. If you ask me, the smartest people go to community colleges: What’s smarter than saving $100,000 and managing to get an education that is just as good, and perhaps even better, than you can get at many top universities?

To Read More: http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/smartest-students-community-colleges/19612580/

College Project Seeks A President

SUNBURY — The Susquehanna Valley Community Education Project, which exists only to facilitate the creation of a Valley community college, is forming a committee to search for a new president.

Founder Lenaire Ahlum is stepping down as president to open the position to someone in close contact with business and government leaders.

It’s what’s needed at this stage, she said. She will remain on the board.

To Read More: http://dailyitem.com/0100_news/x1627563296/College-project-seeks-a-president

New Leader Needed for College Initiative

 A new leader is being sought for the Valley’s community college initiative.

Lenaire Ahlum, who has volunteered countless hours toward getting a community college established since she helped found the Susquehanna Valley Community Educational Project in 2007, is stepping away from the chair at the head of the table, but remaining on the board.

She thinks it’s time for a new president, one who has business and governmental connections.

To Read More: http://dailyitem.com/0100_news/x1079910527/New-leader-needed-for-college-initiative

Dual Enrollment in High School and College Helps Some Low Acheivers

The solution? Dual enrollment, which allows high school students to enroll in college.

For a year, my daughter went to high school in the morning to take the final classes that would allow her to graduate. In the afternoon, she took classes at Kalamazoo Valley Community College.

The strategy was an unqualified success. She got her high school diploma. She also finished the year with 17 college credits under her belt and with something perhaps even more valuable — a healthy confidence about doing college-level work.

To Read  More: C:\Documents and Settings\User\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\R2YWJZ2U\fwdgooglealerts[1]\college helps some low achievers.mht

The Dangers of Paying for Your Kids College

The numbers are daunting: the cost of a private college education can run over six figures – and that’s for tuition and fees alone, no room and board. As parents, we all want a better future for our kids, and a college education seems like a mandatory expense these days. But should you really be footing the bill for Junior’s college education? Here are some reasons you may want to think twice.

To Read More: C:\Documents and Settings\User\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\R2YWJZ2U\fwdgooglealerts[1]\The Dangers Of Paying For Your Kid’s College.mht

Kiran Bedi Bats for Community College

Lamenting the total disconnect between education and employment generation, former IPS officer Kiran Bedi today said in a country with a high drop-out rate, this gap should be bridged through community colleges.

“I see this as the only hope today,” she said referring to the concept of community colleges, which according to her should spring up in rural areas and in urban villages to offer education and vocational training to the not-so well-off students.

To read more: C:\Documents and Settings\User\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\R2YWJZ2U\fwdgooglealerts[1]\bats for community colleges.mht

Groups of Residents Set Sights on Improvements

A niche, a theme, a style, a destination centerpiece. City residents putting their heads together say this is what Sunbury needs.

To read more click here: http://dailyitem.com/0100_news/x2016066559/Groups-of-residents-set-sights-on-improvements

Absent a Champion, College Plan Needs Another Look

Advocates for a community college in Sunbury say they have ample evidence that there are people in the Central Susquehanna Valley who would use a community college if it were available to them.
Sunbury leaders see the community college as a potential anchor for a revitalized downtown. There are many reasons for people to root for the proposal.

To read the full article: http://dailyitem.com/0109_opinion/x302724012/Absent-a-champion-college-plan-needs-another-look

College Idea Still in Works

Building owners offer space in Sunbury

Dimos Panagoulias, the out-of-towner who bought the former Northumberland County Human Services Building at 347 Market St. two years ago, has moved to Sunbury.

He hopes the 25,000-square-foot building and an adjacent 11,000-square-foot office building on Fourth Street that he bought with it will be tapped to house a community college.
He believes a community college would help the economy and help bring Sunbury back,” Hronis said. “He’s waiting on them.

To read more: http://dailyitem.com/0100_news/x1385498172/College-idea-still-in-works

Erie County Can’t Afford Not to Support a Community College

Given the numerous benefits of a community college, with or without taxpayer financing, the question I ask is, can Erie County afford not to become the 15th community college in Pennsylvania?

The wisdom of the world teaches that the cost of ignorance far outweighs the cost of knowledge. When one checks all the facts and analyzes the pros and the cons, the pros far outweigh the cons. Beyond the facts outlined by Rethink Erie, there is another issue worth considering: education versus incarceration.

It has been calculated that the minimal annual cost for the incarceration of one person in Erie County Prison is about $25,000 to $30,000. Compare this cost to that of one year of matriculation at a community college, estimated to be $2,500 to $3,000. Which institution would you prefer your tax dollars supporting?

Are we so used to spending millions of dollars to finance jails that we can’t see ourselves spending our tax dollars to educate people at a much lower cost in the long run?

To read more click here: C:\Documents and Settings\User\Desktop\GoErie_com Local Columns – Erie County can’t afford not to sponsor community college.mht

Convenient, Affordable (Letter to Daily Item)

With so many companies moving away or closing their doors due to the economic crises in this country, I think that this area would greatly benefit from a community college that would not only serve our children but also adults either trying to advance themselves, or become educated in a whole new field. I want to urge the commissioners in Union, Snyder, Northumberland and Montour counties to seriously consider finding a way to allocate the necessary funding that is needed to get this project up and running. An area community college would create hundreds of jobs from faculty members to maintenance workers, not to mention a potential to graduate thousands of people who would then become major contributors as working taxpayers.

To read the whole article: http://www.dailyitem.com/0111_letters/local_story_078200044.html

SVCEP in the News: Community College cost needs to be cleared up

Everyone agrees that the vision of establishing a community college sounds worthwhile. Yet, no county leader has demonstrated the level of political commitment required to make the venture happen….

Read the full article: http://www.dailyitem.com/0110_editorials/local_story_077001402.html?keyword=topstory

Community College Across the Nation at Breaking Points

The College had projected an enrollment increase of seven percent for fall. “Today enrollment is up by 23 percent over last year and still climbing. We just topped 10,000 students, the highest ever for BHCC,” Fifield said. “We even have two new classes starting at midnight. We are holding classes in the Schrafft’s Center, near the College. Existing faculty are taking on more courses, and we are hiring new faculty as fast as we can locate instructors with appropriate qualifications and experience.”

To read more click : http://www.fastweb.com/student-news/articles/1539-community-colleges-across-the-nation-at-breaking-points

Economy Sending More Students to Community College

Officials Cite Added Cost of 4 Year Schools Focus on Job Skills for Enrollment Increase

“Typically when the economy dips, community college enrollment increases,” said Jim Skidmore, chancellor of the West Virginia Community and Technical College System.

“With the downturn in the economy, tuition rates are lower and kids are staying closer to home with plans to move to four-year institutions later.”

West Virginia State University Community and Technical College’s enrollment is up 28 percent with 2,227 students this fall, 490 more than last year.

To read more click http://www.fastweb.com/student-news/articles/1793-economy-sending-more-students-to-community-college-officials-cite-added-costs-of-4-year-schools-focus-on-job-skills-for-enrollment-increase    

Community College Pave the Way to Upward Economic Mobility for Millions of Americans, Particularly Low Income Students

Washington, DC – 10/20/2009 – A report released today by Pew’s Economic Mobility Project shows that community colleges are an important stepping stone for students of all backgrounds, income levels and high school achievements to improve their economic mobility prospects. Earning a community college degree boosts earnings by an average of $7,900 annually, an increase of 29 percent over those with only a high school diploma. For low-income, high-achieving high school students in particular, community colleges serve as a springboard to further postsecondary education; more than half eventually transfer to four-year programs, and three-quarters of those who transfer earn a bachelor’s degree.

Read Full Article (PDF)

Gov. Nixon says Community Colleges are Key in Fixing Missouri’s Economy

SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Jay Nixon says he knows the secret to Missouri’s economic turnaround. He believes the state needs the right workers with the best skills competing for the jobs of tomorrow. To ensure this, Missouri has to make a serious investment in job training.

Nixon is visiting each two-year college in the state, asking what they see and would like to have.

“I think it’s exciting,” student Cedrake White said. “You have a governor who’s concerned about a working-type degree.”

Read full article

Obama Plans Community – College Initiative

By Robert Tomsho

President Barack Obama plans to announce a community-college initiative designed to boost graduation rates, improve facilities and develop new technology. The effort will involve $12 billion in spending spread over the next 10 years.

Mr. Obama has called education key to the nation working its way out of the recession and competing more effectively internationally. Saying he wants to bolster high-school and college-graduation rates for all Americans, he has used the availability of additional federal funds to try to persuade budget-strapped states, public schools and colleges to undertake new initiatives.

The president is scheduled to unveil the community college program during a speech in Warren, Mich., Tuesday.

Read full article

Other interesting article: http://popwatch.ew.com/2009/10/15/josh-wolk-pop-culture-club-community/

Can Community Colleges Save the US Economy?

By Laura Fitzpatrick / Austin – Monday, Jul. 20, 2009

The 1,200 community colleges in the U.S. are especially suited to helping students adapt to a changing labor market. While four-year universities have the financial resources to lure top professors and students, they are by nature slow-moving. Community colleges, on the other hand, are smaller and able to tack quickly in changing winds. They often partner with local businesses and can gin up continuing-education courses midsemester in response to industry needs, getting students in and out and ready to work — fast. Read full article

How Community Colleges Can Reach Obama’s Goals

 By Davis Jenkins and Thomas Bailey

Americans have long prided ourselves on our higher education system, but lately a much more negative image has emerged. The U.S. has fallen behind other developed countries in postsecondary attainment, and large gaps in college access and completion remain for low-income and minority students.

In July, President Obama announced a plan to close these gaps and to reverse the slide in overall postsecondary achievement. His plan recognizes the central role community colleges can and must play in getting more students to attend and complete college. This is particularly important for the growing number of non-traditional students – those who balance work and family obligations with their studies and who represent the majority on 2- and 4-year college campuses today. Read full article

US Will Have the Most College Grads

TROY, N.Y. — President Barack Obama says that by 2020 America will again have the world’s highest proportion of college graduates.

The president said Monday that a recent increase in Pell Grants will help the nation reach that goal.

He made the remarks as he spoke at a community college in Troy, N.Y., which has been hit hard by the economic recession. Obama said the government has simplified student aid applications to make it easier for students to afford a higher education. Read full article

COLLEGE EDUCATION: Obama calls for more aid for students

President Barack Obama called Monday for more student loans and investments in basic research, particularly at two-year colleges, to bolster the economy.

Speaking at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, N.Y., Obama said he hoped to increase the ranks of two-year college grads by 5 million during the next decade.

He also vowed that by 2020, America will again have the world’s highest proportion of college graduates. He said recent increases in Pell Grants and a simplification of financial-aid processes will help reach that goal.

Obama said he wants to divert $80 billion in subsidies to banks that give out student loans to provide more Pell Grants. Read full article

In New York, Obama touts economy

TROY, N.Y. — President Obama visited an Albany-area community college Monday morning to discuss the economy and promote high-tech investments as a way to boost business growth in the country.

The president, in his first trip to upstate New York since he was elected, outlined his innovation strategy, which uses more than $100 million in federal stimulus funds to support education and new infrastructure. The stage at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, Rensselaer County, where the president spoke has a backdrop of computer chips and other high-tech equipment behind the podium.

Read Full Article

Working Leaners Need Innovative Education Models

A few months back, the president announced America’s Graduation Initiative, or AGI, with a goal to return America to international leadership in college attainment. A centerpiece of the AGI is to add an additional 5 million community college graduates to the nation’s workforce by 2020. The AGI included student lending reform, Pell Grant increases, and investment in community college innovation. In response the House of Representatives passed HR 3221, the Student Access and Fiscal Accountability Act of 2009, which picks up many of the AGI’s initiatives. The Senate is working on its own companion piece of legislation at this writing. Read full article

Dan Perna 6/4 Interview on WKOK

Dan Perna, Educational Consultant with James Daniel and Associates, was interviewed on Leaders and Lawmakers on Friday, June 4th. Toward the end of the interview he spoke extensively about the need for technical education in Pennsylvania.

You can listen to the interview at: http://www.wkok.com/roundtable/L&L06-04-09A.mp3.

By CC Times, Published June 2, 2009

Community Colleges in the National Spotlight

To see the high-profile role that community colleges are playing in President Barack Obama’s plans for economic recovery and prosperity, just look at the national headlines, administration appointments and how policy experts are zeroing in on two-year colleges.

Media highlight the president’s focus on community colleges, from two-year colleges training workers for green jobs and other fields under the stimulus legislation to proposing a plan to allow laid-off workers to retain unemployment benefits if they go to a community college or pursue other education or training. The American Association of Community Colleges fields dozens of media inquiries each week, from USA Today to Newsweek, to CNN and NBC News.

More of the article at this link: http://www.communitycollegetimes.com/article.cfm?ArticleId=1763

Ed Secretary Duncan Announces Grant Competition, Cites Community Colleges

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Ed Secretary Duncan Announces Grant Competition, Cites Community Colleges as “Invaluable Resources” for Displaced Workers

Today, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan visited the Milwaukee Area Technical College today to announce a $7 million special competitive grant to establish innovative and sustainable community college programs that prepare displaced workers for second careers. This first-of-its-kind grant program will be used to develop national models that can be replicated across the country, especially in communities where autoworkers have lost their jobs.

More of the article at this link:
http://communitycollegebeltwaynews.blogspot.com/2009/06/ed-secretary-duncan-announces-grant.html

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