Your Community’s College

• What’s in a name: Over time, people have established notions of what community colleges are, oftentimes losing sight of the name. Community colleges are hubs of their communities. They exist to fill communities’ many needs and their interests. When you talk about your college, emphasize that community colleges are not just “two-year colleges” or vocational schools, but are vital centers of their communities.
• Community colleges partner with area businesses to create academic and workforce training programs designed specifically to meet the needs of employers and to qualify students for jobs that pay living wages. Showcase your institution’s business partnerships, and emphasize how those partnerships were created to address the needs of the community.
• Community colleges provide general education courses that lead to associate degrees and which can transfer to four-year universities for the completion of bachelors’ degrees, saving students significant amounts of money. But community colleges also provide classes created specifically to address the needs and interests of their communities—classes that may not be found at any other institution. Emphasize both the value and the uniqueness of your college and how it serves your community’s interests.
• Many community college students support or contribute to supporting their families. Most community colleges offer resources and flexibility that make it possible for students with other life commitments to enroll, stay enrolled and complete their programs. Talk about the community resources your college offers, and profile some students who benefit from them.

Public community colleges:

• • Provide higher education to students with the fewest resources and the greatest obstacles.
  • Are the most in-demand institutions during and following times of economic recession.
  • Are primary educators/certifiers of in-demand nursing and other healthcare professionals.
  • Are there for their communities in times of crisis.
    • Examples from Ohio, Nebraska, New York, Wisconsin and others throughout the country underscore their vital role in providing medical care.
    • Community colleges are committed to meeting their communities’ basic needs, including access to food, housing, transportation, childcare and other services while students seek education and vital workforce training.
  • Serve the most demographically and socioeconomically diverse students.
  • Offer the most affordable high-quality higher educations.
  • Guarantee fair admissions for all students.
  • Make higher education that would be unattainable for many students accessible to all students.
  • Are underfunded and need increased state support.

Community Colleges from ACCT on Vimeo.

Related information:

• Introduction

• Logo

• Talking Points for Community College Advocates

• Suggested Social Media Posts & Tips

• Sample Press Release

• About Op-Eds & Sample Op-Eds

• Sample Board Resolutions

• CCMonth Home Page