Increasing
Graduation Rates in Community Colleges
Phyllis
Pierce
University
of North Carolina Wilmington
In today’s economy, America’s
strength depends upon education and skilled workers (Johnson,
2009). Only one in five students who enroll
in community colleges graduates in three years, while only about half of
students will continue their education and receive a bachelor’s degree within
six years (Marcus,
2011). A report from
the Georgetown University Center on Education shows that by 2018, 63% of jobs
will require at least some postsecondary education (Carnevale, Smith, &
Strohl, 2010).
Description: This pie chart illustrates what the future
minimum educational requirements will be in 2018 for jobs in United States. This chart underlines the significant need for
community colleges to focus on helping students in obtaining a certificate or
degree. By the year 2018, only 10% of
jobs will be available to individuals with less than a high school degree (U.S
Department of Education, 2010).
In July 2009, President Obama proposed the “American Graduation
initiative,” to invest $12 billion into two-year
community colleges. The goal is to improve
on the job training and produce an additional five million college degrees to
the global economy, approximately a 50% increase over the current levels
(Obama, 2009). This will help build a competitive strong workforce in the next
decade (Johnson, 2009).
To meet this goal it will require innovative changes that will take time,
planning and maximizing current resources (Bundy, 2013).
Today,
community colleges serve nearly 11 million students. This is largely due to the recession in the
late 2000’s, and the cost of a four-year college (Johnson, 2009). Community Colleges have been known for their
affordable tuition, open door policy, flexible course schedules and convenient
locations. These factors have caused many Americans to return to community
college for additional training or to obtain a degree (Cohen,
Brawer, & Kisker, 2014).
The
famous “open door” policy has welcomed students of all ages and ethnicities, "However, open access is only the first
step in ensuring that all students have the support needed to succeed” (CCSE,
2007). Student support is one of the major
components in helping students succeed their goals. Many students that arrive at community college
are more likely to be first generation college students and less prepared for
college (Cohen, Brawer, & Kisker, 2014).
This could be due to a gap between high school graduation and college
attendance, not knowing where to go, or how to take advantage of the support
services that are available. This is a
critical point of time for students to get information through
orientation. But, the problem is that
only 30% of first year community college students do not attend orientation
(Rath, Rock, & Laferriere, April, 2013). About 90% of students indicate an
interest in academic advising, but less than 33% of students actually meet with
an academic advisor (Rath, Rock, & Laferriere, April, 2013). Research also found that the longer it takes
students to finish their degrees the more likely they will drop out (Rath, Rock,
& Laferriere, April, 2013). This is
why many colleges are focusing on new innovating ways to connect with students
before classes start.
On
April 24, 2014, Johnston Community College (JCC) is going to kick-off a new
initiative program called Agree to Degree (A2D). The target of this program is to help all
students achieve their personal goals while navigating through JCC’s program of
study “by saving both time and money” (D. Dixon, personal communication, April
17, 2014). With this new initiative program, JCC’s goal is to increase college
graduation and completion rate. The
success of this program will give a student the personal satisfaction that comes
from knowing they have reached their goal, and they have the proof in their
hands on graduation day with a diploma, certificate, or a degree.
On
April 17, 2014, I had the opportunity to interview Ms. Dawn Dixon (Dawn), Dean
of Arts, Sciences and Learning Resources at JCC. The A2D was developed by Dawn, which was
modeled after Community Colleges in Texas and Hawaii. The program will be the first of its kind in
North Carolina Community Colleges. Dawn
is very proud to announce that JCC will start implementing the A2D during the
fall 2014 academic year. Students will
be asked to participate in this new program and sign the A2D pledge during
summer orientation. As part of the
pledge, students will promise to attend all classes, meet with their advisor
each semester, and if they encounter any barriers, personal or academic, they will
talk with their instructor or counselor before walking away from their
education (D. Dixon, personal communication, April 17, 2014).
During
this semester in class EDL 557, The Community College, we have discussed many obstacles
/barriers that hinder a student from completing or graduating from a community
college, both through our readings, discussions, and with Dr. Springer at Cape
Fear Community College (CFCC 2007). Dr. Springer
referenced more than once about the diversity of his student body and the
variety of obstacles /barriers students are faced with when trying to obtain a
certificate or degree at CFCC. I asked
Dawn, “What were the major obstacles /barriers students encounter while
attending JCC, which ultimately hold them back from graduating or completing a
program?” Dawn said “the lack of academic preparation” (D.
Dixon, personal communication, April 17, 2014).
Most of the students have to take a couple of
remedial Math or English classes before they can even start their major, which causes
a lot of students to become frustrated before they even start classes. In addition, a majority of the students are
embarrassed when their peers see them enrolled in remedial classes. Most of the students want a fresh start from
the past once they start attending a community college. This is where we as administrators and staff
need to be aware of the situation so we can mentor these students before they
give up on their goals or dream to achieve a college degree or certificate (D.
Dixon, personal communication, April 17).
The
second barrier is financial aid. Many
students are first generation college students, and they do not know how to
fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or the importance of
filing out the form early. A majority of
the students think that they can walk into the Financial Aid Office and receive
money for tuition that day (D. Dixon, personal communication, April 17).
This is where the A2D program is going to make
a big impact on the student body success.
Dawn explained that all staff/faculty are committed in making this
program a success. In addition, JCC will
provide improved customer services, programs of study, enhanced orientation and advising,
academic support, and engagement and outreach to all students. With all of these services in place are going
to be able track students’ progress, provide support, and
guidance until they reach their personal goal at JCC (D. Dixon, personal
communication, April 17).
References
Bundy, K. (2013). The finish line. Diverse. Issues In Higher Education, 30(23), 23-25.
Carnevale, A., Smith, N., & Strohl, J. (2010). Help wanted: Projections of jobs and education requirements through 2018. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University, Center on Education and the Workforce, 2014. cew.georgetown.edu
Center for community college student engagement. (2007). Survey of entering student engagement: A first look at engaging entering student. Retrieved April 20, 2014, www.ccse.org
Cohen, A., Brawer, F., & Kisker, C. (2014). The American Community College. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Johnson, W.G. (2009). President Obama and the community college. Community & Junior College Libraries, 15(4), 169-170. doi:10.1080/0276391090325311
Marcus, J. (2011). Two years after Obama’s college graduation initiative, major obstacles remain. Community College Week, 24(1), 8.
Obama, B. “Remarks by the President on the American Graduation Initiative.”
Washington, D.C.: The White House, Office of the Press Secretary, July 14,2009. www.whitehouse.gov
Rath, B., Rock, K., & Laferriere, A., (April, 2013). Pathways through College Pathways through College: Strategies for improving community college student success. Retrieved from www.opp.org
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