a dream deferred presentation

A DREAM DEFERRED: THE FUTURE OF AFRICAN AMERICAN EDUCATION

THE PALMER HOUSE HILTONCHICAGO, ILLINOIS

MAY1-2, 2013Dr. Fay M. Butler

Creating Innovative Programs with Community Colleges to Improve the Retention of African

American Students

THERE ARE TWO PROPOSED WORKSHOP OUTCOMES•THE FIRST OUTCOME IS TO UNDERSTAND WHY WE NEED

COMMUNITY COLLEGES TO MAINTAIN AND INCREASE RETENTION OF AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENTS

•THE SECOND OUTCOME IS TO ENGAGE IN MEANINGFUL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT PROGRAMMING AT AND

PARTNERING WITH COMMUNITY COLLEGES AS IT RELATES TO RETENTION OF AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENTS

Creating Innovative Programs with Community Colleges to Improve the Retention of African

American Students

Creating Innovative Programs with Community Colleges to Improve the Retention of African American Students

This workshop will be presented in four partsI. The Importance of the Community College in the

Higher Education Landscape- II. Why the Community College Matters for African

American Students- The Retention PipelineIII. I have a Dream-Creating Innovative Programs- IV. Case Study ExerciseV. Wrap Up/ Q& A


I. The Importance of the Community College in the Higher Education Landscape- Brief Review and History

•Community colleges became a national network in the 1960s with the opening of 457 public community colleges - more than the total in existence before that decade

. • The construction involved in this gigantic growth of facilities was funded by a robust economy and supported

by the social activism of the time. The number of community colleges has steadily grown since the 1960s.

At present, there are 1,166 community colleges in the United States.

When the branch campuses of community colleges are included, the number totals about 1,600.

http://www.aacc.nche.edu/AboutCC/history/Pages/ccgrowth.aspx



http://www.aacc.nche.edu/AboutCC/history/Documents/np10.pdf

http://www.aacc.nche.edu/AboutCC/history/Documents/np10.pdf



Community Colleges are the largest postsecondary education segment and its share of the undergraduate population likely to increase.



“Community colleges enrolled 6.2 million students (35% of all undergraduates) in 2006-07, including the majority of low- to moderate-income students.

First generation students accounted for 47% of all beginning postsecondary

students in 1995-1996, 53 % at 2-year, 34 % at 4-year,50-60% of students who enroll at CCs with intention of completing a degree,certificate, or transfer (to 4-yr), do so” (Choy, 2001).


I. Why the Community College Matters for African American Students-The Retention Pipeline

WE NEED COMMUNITY COLLEGES!!!

Retention Pipeline-Suggested explanation for this workshop-

The Pipeline- A students ViewA place of opportunity for students to begin a journey to springboard them

to their destinies. OPEN DOORS….ACCESS



Retention Pipeline-Suggested explanation for this workshop-

The Pipeline- The Higher Education or Community Based Agency ViewA steady, “credible” resource for Community BASED Programs and

Higher Education Institutions to maintain or increase their enrollment goals/numbers.




The Community College Today• Nearly half of all undergraduates, and more than 50

percent of all Black and Latino students attend community colleges (American Association of Community Colleges,

AACC, 2006)




• Traditionally, our community colleges have been critical portals of entry to higher education for underserved

students. They enroll high proportions of Black, Latino and Native American Students and high proportions of students from lower income and working class families. (Rhoades,

2012)


II. Why the Community College Matters for African American Students- The Retention Pipeline

o Community Colleges can serve as a springboard to educational success.- Affordable and accessible

o Community colleges are a vital part of the postsecondary education delivery system, Students

o Community colleges offer a wide variety of programs- flexibility allow institutions to meet varied students needs

o Community Colleges can be a good choice for students unsure of their degree path


II. Why the Community College Matters for African American Students- The Retention Pipeline

WE NEED COMMUNITY COLLEGES

More than 50% of Black Students attend the community College MEET THE STUDENTS WHERE THEY ARE THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE EXPERIENCE IS JUST THE

BEGINNING


III. I have a Dream-Creating Innovative Programs-

INNOVATION- DEFINED-a new idea, method, or device : novelty.

For this presentation, think of innovation a new idea or initiative in that…the idea may not be new to the industry but will be new for you or your institution



DREAMS and ideas BUT FIRST

Who are you-What is your role at your institution, what influence do you have.?

Why-If you are interested in creating and implementing initiatives with a community college, you need to have partners?



• What has worked in the past with Community Colleges?Partnerships,

Institutions that have been successful have created transfer pathways, dual admissions programs, they have created cultures on their campuses that was receptive to transfer students.

(Read College Board Report “Improving Student Transfer from Community Colleges to Four-Year Institutions”)



OTHER QUESTIONS

• Can successful programs be duplicated at your institution?What would be the challenges?

• Why Partner With Community Colleges- College Board lists the following reasons



REASONS TO PARTNER WITH COMMUNITY COLLEGESThey serve almost half of the undergraduate students in the United States, providing

open access to postsecondary education, preparing students for transfer to 4-year institutions, providing workforce development and skills training, and

offering noncredit programs ranging from English as a second language to skills retraining to community enrichment programs or cultural activities.(AACC, 2006)



REASONS TO PARTNER WITH COMMUNITY COLLEGES

Transfer has been and continues to bea popular goal for a large proportion of incomingcommunity college students. Surveys indicatethat at least 50 percent and perhaps as many as80 percent of all incoming community collegestudents seek to transfer and earn a bachelor’sdegree.




Many students who intend to earn sub baccalaureate credentials at a community college often increase their educational aspirations after starting at a two year college. (College Board,2011)




Community colleges attract students from underserved groups in greater numbers than four year colleges and universities• Nearly half of all undergraduates, and more than 50 percent of all Black and Latino students attend

community colleges (American Association of Community Colleges, AACC, 2006)



WHAT PROGRAMMING OR PARTNERSHIP WILL WORK FOR YOU TO IMPROVE OVERALL RETENTION

PROGRAMMING-defined as institutional initiatives to create a program or build on a program that is in place*(case study)

PARTNERSHIPS- Two year/Four year, Two Year/CBO


IV. Case Study Exercise

V. Wrap UP

Dr. Butler Contact: [email protected]


References College Board Report: Improving Student Transfer from Community Colleges to Four Year Institutions-

Perspectives of Leaders from Baccalaureate- Granting Institutions (2011) Facilitating Seamless Transition for Transfer Students: University-Community College Relationships. Session

W1.126 AACRAO 2006, San Diego, Ca Geleskie. E. (2008). Advisors Perceptions of Barriers to a Smooth Transition from a Community College to a Four-

Year University. Dissertation. University of Pennsylvania


References Haurwitz, R. (2010). Community colleges face funding, classroom challenges amid rising enrollment. Statesman.com

(December 29, 2010) Johnson, G. (2007). Seamless Transition in the Twenty- First Century: Partnering to Survive and Thrive. New

Directions for Community Colleges, no 139.Fall 2007 Mellow, G &Heelan, C. (2008). Minding The Dream . Rowman and Littlefield, New York, NY Rhoades, G. (2012) Closing the Door, Increasing the Gap: Who’s not going to (community) college?. Center for the

Future of Higher Education