A new conceptual model of the community college is necessary to the maturation of the community college into a significant autonomous part of higher education. The requirements for a "transformed" community college are the establishment of a lifelong relationship with its students; a reconciliation of the academic and vocational functions which have traditionally been dichotomized; a focus on generic employment skills and competencies which will prepare students for a variety of career opportunities, and methods to certify these competencies; and structural changes in instructional methods, curricular content, entry/exit policies, administration and extracurricular activities which will involve learners, faculty, administrators and staff in a greater diversity of educational experiences. The "transformed" college must identify target populations; realize that each group has different educational needs because life will demand of each a different set of competencies. Proof of competence in these areas may be more important than degrees or college credits. The curriculum must be reorganized to reflect these new priorities; time schedules must be flexible to allow students to obtain the skills at their own rate; counseling may need to be geared to helping each student establish areas of competence and topical foci which will serve as educational goals. (AYC)