In recent months, some legislators, government agency officials, segments of the media, and campus administrators have called attention to perceived and proven instances of abuse of the federal student financial assistance programs. Concerns have focused on students enrolling in courses primarily to secure student financial aid funds rather than…

Time is a core unit of human capital. With only 24 hours in a day, the way people choose to spend their time is an indication of what they value and the constraints under which they operate. In the higher education context, time-to-degree is a key element of higher education analysis, particularly at a time of constrained resources and a growing…

In the summer of 2011, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) launched a new 21st-Century Initiative. The overall goal of the initiative is to educate an additional 5 million students with degrees, certificates, or other credentials by 2020. Grounded in the enduring commitment of community colleges to improving the lives of students…

While enrollments continue to increase, there is the concern, among some, that a focus on completion has the potential to influence just who is allowed to take advantage of educational opportunities. In policy conversations, especially those concerned with policies related to access and choice, there is a silent movement to redirect educational…

The Federal Pell Grant Program serves as the foundation of the Federal Student Aid system, with more than 9.5 million students relying on the program to provide access to higher education in 2010-2011. It is one of the rare large federal domestic programs that has almost entirely avoided suggestions that it is ineffective or that it plays a role…

Over the past few years, as the nation has attempted to emerge from a recession, people are increasingly turning to education as a means to return to work in an economy that demands new skills and a larger number of knowledge-based workers. The demand for more education has resulted in increased enrollments in postsecondary institutions,…

In 2006 the Learn and Serve America program of the Corporation for National and Community Service awarded a three-year grant to the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). Selected through a national competition, thirteen colleges participated in AACC's "Community Colleges Broadening Horizons through Service Learning" grant project.…

The issue of civility has become a major topic of discussion on college campuses throughout the country, attracting media attention nationwide. In this illuminating book, civility scholar Judy Rookstool tackles the issue for the community college audience, bringing both her research and classroom experience to bear. She offers a definition of…

In this practical, user-friendly, and comprehensive guide, two experienced online instructors explain the history and methodology of distance learning and cover everything an online instructor needs to know--from designing a course, to using technology, to assessing students and more. Throughout the book, the authors demonstrate how to use…

The "Horizons" project features model programs, national data collection and dissemination, and an information clearinghouse. In addition, "Horizons" provides professional development opportunities and technical assistance through regional workshops on service learning and civic responsibility, chief academic officer summits, mentoring,…

This report, "Improving Access to the Baccalaureate," offers what is intended to be a realistic and candid assessment of both problems and possible solutions. The overriding objective of the partnership is to encourage new ways of thinking about old problems and significantly increase proactive collaboration. Specific recommendations based on the…

The national Bridges to Healthy Communities project of the American Association of Community College's (AACC) helps provide education and information programs to prevent HIV infection and other serious health problems in youth and students. In 1996 and 2000, AACC conducted national surveys concerning administration and leadership, curricular and…