Discusses the wave of retiring faculty--and the new recruits who will replace them--that is due to hit community colleges. Suggests that new teachers familiarize themselves with their "political environment," such as who wields the most influence within the department and who seems accessible for help and advice. (NB)

Asserts that, in the movement to a Web-based, object-centered learning environment, community colleges must: (1) take part in the dialogue on the nature of learning in the digital age; (2) develop a new organizational strategy; (3) engage faculty in the transition to an object-centered learning environment; and (4) design learning content in…

Describes the California Community Colleges' goal to advance the state's economic growth through quality economic development programs. Discusses the importance of assessment and presents the results of an outcome evaluation, stating that California will collect $1.42 in taxes over the next 10 years for every dollar it spent on economic…

Describes the American Association of Community Colleges' first summit on workforce development. Presents key points from the summit, including: (1) the possible creation of a National Business Forum; (2) the marketing of community colleges as a major part of economic development in the nation; and (3) a more unified research agenda among and…

Discusses the American Association of Community Colleges' Leadership Summit, which focused on: (1) how U.S. community colleges can identify potential leaders; (2) how institutions can grow their own leaders; (3) how to increase diversity in community college administration; and (4) how to shift to a customer-driven perspective of leadership…

Presents an interview with Elaine Chao, United States Secretary of Labor, in which she suggests that, because of the information-based economy, education is a more vital element in the training of America's workforce than it has ever been. Discusses an initiative that will use high-tech tools to give Americans with disabilities greater access to…

Suggests that, although technical skills are important, soft skills still make a critical difference in hiring in high-tech fields. Defines soft skills as the ability to think critically, work in teams, share ideas, and perform other non-technological tasks. Describes a study that found that employers still see a four-year college degree as the…

Asserts that community colleges have recreated themselves over the last 100 years in response to the changing American economy. Explains that the new need for community colleges to fulfill the local communities' economic needs calls for renewed civic participation in the colleges. Describes Maricopa Community College District's Civic Participation…

Discusses Cerro Coso Community College in Ridgecrest (California), where 80-85 of all local jobs are with one employer, the China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS). States that massive layoffs at NAWS inspired creative ways of rethinking the community college model at Cerro Coso, such as creating the nation's first computer graphics imagery…

Argues that, despite national data showing a limited role for associate-degree-only graduates in information technology (IT) occupations, the high levels of enrollment, low graduation rates, and large numbers of older students suggest that community colleges are functioning as retraining institutions rather than primary training institutions.…

States that, when a major local employer closed its doors, Chemeketa Community College (Oregon) joined forces with state agencies and opened the Woodburn Workforce Transition Center to help the displaced workers with vocational counseling, language and literacy assessments, developing interview skills, and resume writing. Warns that similar…

Describes the development and growth of the Western Reserve Small Business Development Center for Women (Ohio), which promotes the advancement of women-owned businesses in the Northeastern Ohio region by assisting women in starting and maintaining their own businesses. States that the center offers low-cost training programs and counseling by a…

Workforce demands are pressing community colleges to adapt the certificate and degree programs they offer. Currently, colleges in Hawaii, Arkansas, Utah, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, and West Virginia as well as Canada offer the community college baccalaureate degree which, according to the authors, has moral, social, economic, and…

Dual-credit programs allow students to enroll in college courses for credit while still in high school. These programs significantly reduce the time required to achieve an associate or baccalaureate degree, thereby reducing the cost both to the student and to the state. Many states are providing legislative support for program expansion. (Contains…

The five campuses of Cerro Coso Community College (CA) are located in Mojave Desert country, where many potential students live 100 miles or more from the nearest college site. This document describes lessons learned and accomplishments associated with development of its virtual campus, online courses, and online associate degree programs. (PGS)