Community colleges have a storied history of successfully providing pathways and access to credentials and degrees through various models of delivery and in diverse programs of study. Until recently, the highest degree offered by community colleges was the associate degree. During the past decade, major changes have occurred in the landscape of…

As fiscal, accountability, and enrollment pressures rise, community college presidents need to work more closely and effectively with elected officials at the local, state, and federal levels in order to advocate for their schools and students. Colleges will be expected to carry an even greater burden in meeting demands for both increased student…

This article takes a highly critical look at athletics and responds to the question of whether contemporary community colleges should continue to maintain athletic programs, especially in times of financial constraint. For balance, the authors have chosen to focus on the negatives. They feel it is important to present a balanced picture in support…

Rapid technological change and the relentless pressure exerted by global competition mean that job opportunities continuously appear in growing sectors of the economy and decline in stagnant sectors. The challenge for policymakers is to provide an educational and training system targeted to employment opportunities. Community colleges are widely…

This chapter offers a selection of references and resources on structures, processes, and outcomes of community college governance.

Rural communities have fewer financial resources, making the community colleges located in these regions central to economic development. This chapter reviews the importance of recognizing the rural differential via policy changes and offers strategies to close the resource gap between rural and nonrural community colleges.

Community colleges now depend on fundraising to fill a growing gap between institutional needs and financial support from tuition and government taxes. As a result, fundraising has become a critical component of fiscal leadership. This chapter describes emerging ways in which fundraising is being viewed and organized in the community college.

This chapter examines challenges and options available to community college presidents as their institutions increasingly rely on unstable revenue streams. Presidents, particularly those at institutions with limited access to strong local tax support, require new and expanded fiscal leadership skills.

This chapter explores the role of the president as enabler and leader in promoting a foundation that is engaged with the community and responsive to the college mission. It uses as its foundation a case study of Johnson County Community College (JCCC), where the president's involvement in the community educates the community about the college,…

This chapter focuses on successful practices in fundraising through contractual, partnership, and entrepreneurial activities by community colleges. Examples of each type of fundraising activity are discussed, and Central Piedmont Community College's (Charlotte, NC) enterprising college model, which incorporates elements of each type, is described.

Reports that thinking innovatively and taking prudent risks to bring a golf driving range to Los Angeles City College (California) helped unite the community with the college. Chronicles the long-term and complex partnership process behind this development, which led to a change in campus culture and reinvigorated the campus and community…

Describes a comprehensive service-learning program that partners Skagit Valley College (Washington) students with local community and business entities to provide direct experiential learning and foster practical connections with future employers. Discusses the program, its range of learning opportunities, the roles of the partners, and the…

States that most successful partnerships between community colleges and business and industry have several common elements, and that they also face certain consistent challenges that must be overcome if they are to persist and flourish. Discusses the types of challenges experienced and elements necessary for establishing a successful partnership.…

Offers information from the ERIC database on partnerships between community colleges and the larger community, focusing especially on regional and state partnerships. Emphasizes the process of developing partnerships, providing examples of successful models and guides. Cites 16 annotated sources and presents eight additional unannotated sources…

This issue of New Directions for Community Colleges focuses on ways of establishing and sustaining collaborative work between colleges and local school districts. Chapters included are: (1) "Building Bridges or Barriers? Public Policies That Facilitate or Impede Linkages between Community Colleges and Local School Districts" (Katherine Boswell);…