Are Community College Dormitories a Good Idea?

Community college enrollment has increased across the country in recent years, and there are many reasons for the influx of students. A sluggish economy, lower tuition rates, and high-quality education are just a few of those reasons. With community colleges finding a new role in educating students in America today, numerous compelling reasons exist to give these two-year schools another look.

Lower Rates, Less Debt

One of the top reasons students are considering community colleges over four-year schools today is the issue of cost. According to Yahoo Finance, the average annual cost to attend community college during the 2010-2011 school year was $8,734, which included tuition and books, room and board, and living expenses. In contrast, the annual cost to attend a four-year school during the same year was $18,133. Even public institutions, which are supposed to offer a more budget-friendly option to four-year students, had an average annual cost of $13,297.

Tuition costs for two-year institutions hover at around $2,000-$3,000 per year. That amount is much more affordable than the tuition at four-year schools, which can run as high as $8,000 or more for public institutions and up to $50,000 or more for private schools. Students who qualify for significant scholarship money may find the four-year schools affordable, but those who don’t get any financial help may be out of luck.

Debt is another concern for students heading to four-year schools. Yahoo also cites the average amount of debt a student

In a proactive approach to employee Massachusetts residents, community colleges are partnering with a number of entities to bring casino training to their campuses. The new addition will be in preparation for the construction of at least one casino in the western region of the state. Training will be offered in all aspects of casino operations, from entry-level jobs all the way to management positions.

This video offers an overview of the casino dealer course at Mt. San Jacinto Community College.

Collaboration Involves Multiple Partners

The new training collaboration brings a number of entities in the state together, including the Massachusetts Casino Careers Training Institute (a consortium of 15 community colleges and some four-year schools in the state), Penn National Gaming, MGM Resorts International, Western Massachusetts Development Associates, and Mohegan Sun. MGM, Penn, and Mohegan Sun are all vying to put a casino in the state. According to state law, as many as three new casinos could be built in the state, although specific plans and locations are still pending.

Despite the uncertain plans for the casino additions, plans to train up workers for the industry are already being put into place. Mass Live reports that the college consortium and casino developers have signed worker training agreements with four prospective casino developers, and also have a signed agreement with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. It is this latter organization that will be responsible

Careers: Dental Hygienist, Medical Lab Technician & More Healthcare Positions

The healthcare industry is one of the hottest regarding employment and job stability. The good news is that many of the in-demand positions in health care can be landed with a two-year degree from your local community college. Check out these top 10 healthcare careers you can enter with a community college degree.

Dental Hygienist

Dental hygienists assist dentists in their offices, educating patients and providing cleaning and preventative care.

• The average annual salary for these professionals is around $81,000, and many only work part-time.
• You can launch your career as a dental hygienist with a two-year degree at your local community college. Many schools feature dental laboratories, where students work with actual patients for practical, hands-on experience.
• In some states, hygienists must also pass an examination to practice, but community colleges often provide the preparation and opportunities for testing as part of the degree program.

Medical Laboratory Technician

This medical professional performs routine laboratory tests for diagnostic and monitoring purposes.

• Tests might include blood and urine tests, as well as examinations of tissue and other bodily fluids.
• Medical laboratory technicians typically work in the lab of a hospital, according to the website for the MHA Health Careers Center.
• They might also work in the laboratories of public health clinics, universities, and biomedical companies.
• The average annual salary for a medical

Texas community colleges have seen a decline in enrollment numbers this year, which may be attributed to a number of factors. One of the potential reasons for the lower numbers may be a new mandate by the Texas government that requires college students to get a meningitis vaccination before the first day of classes. While some state officials say this mandate is the only way to prevent the spread of the deadly disease across college campuses, some college officials are attributing the expense and red tape of the process to fewer students on community college campuses this year.

This video discusses five vaccines college students need.

The Schanbaum/Williams Law

The new law was named for two Texas residents who contracted bacterial meningitis on college campuses. Effective January 1, 2012, the law requires all college students under the age of 30 to receive a meningitis vaccination at least ten days before starting classes at any public or private institution of higher education. According to the Sacramento Bee, the law applies to all students heading to college for the first time or transferring from another institution. It also applies to students who have taken a semester break or more before returning to the college campus. Only students who can show proof of a meningitis vaccination within the past five years will be exempt from the requirement.

The law applies to any student taking classes on