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Is Your Community College Top Ranked?
A new ranking of community colleges across the country has just been released, and the results have been met with both appreciation and chagrin. Learn about the rankings and whether or not they matter in your pursuit of a quality community college education.

Finding a community college can be a challenging prospect today, with many states boasting a large number of colleges that all promise the best training for today's workforce. Students may be hard-pressed to find reliable information about the various colleges in their areas, with little concrete information provided outside of the institutions themselves. While Community College Review's goal is to provide students with concrete, valuable information on individual community colleges, a recent ranking of community colleges is stirring both appreciation and controversy.

One publication, Washington Monthly, has created a simple ranking system of the top community colleges in the country. Which community colleges are at the top of the list – and do the Washington Monthly’s rankings truly matter?

This video explores the question, "Which is the best community college?"

The Rankings and the Controversy

Washington Monthly recently released its most recent rankings on community colleges across the country to the delight of many prospective students – and the chagrin of many educators who know better than to heed rankings alone when choosing a college. The publication offers a listing of the top 50 community colleges in the nation, based on a wide range of criteria and information taken from the Community College Survey of Student Engagement.

Interestingly, CCSSE is one of the most vocal opponents to Washington Monthly's rankings. In a press release issued shortly after the publication of

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Careers: Biodiesel Training

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Careers: Biodiesel Training
Start your engines…powered by biodiesel! Learn more about biodiesel programs at community college and how these could jumpstart a lucrative green career for you.

As our country looks to more green energy solutions, biodiesel production has come to the forefront of higher education today. Community colleges are hopping onboard the biodiesel bandwagon, offering a variety of programs to teach students how to create, test and market biodiesel fuel to a wide range of industries today.

If you are looking for a green career that will offer stable work opportunities and help the environment at the same time, perhaps a career in biodiesel technology is for you.

What is a Biodiesel Fuel Specialist?

According to Green Careers Guide, a biodiesel fuel specialist is involved with the conversion of renewable oilseed crops into fuel that can be used to power engines and machinery. The creation of biodiesels creates a cleaner environment and will alleviate our dependency on foreign oil in the future. Biodiesel technicians work in a variety of settings, but often spend much of their time in a laboratory.

To become a biodiesel fuel specialist, it is good to have the following qualities or skills:

  • An aptitude for mathematics and science
  • Excellent communication skills
  • The ability to work as a member of the team
  • Meticulous record-keeping skills

Green Careers Guide estimates that the outlook for biodiesel careers is good, with an average hourly rate of around $15-$20.

Where to Find Training

Biodiesel training programs are cropping up around the country, and we have a few examples to get you started in your research:

Anoka-Ramsey Community College

This Minnesota school recently received

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Should Freshmen be First or Last in Line?

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Should Freshmen be First or Last in Line?
Freshmen typically wait last in line for class registration, but some community colleges are challenging this standard by giving the frosh class first priority. Learn about the new programs that are designed to give freshmen the first pick in classes at community colleges.

At most community colleges, freshmen are usually the last in line to register for classes. Unfortunately, this means many new students don't get the courses they need to pursue the degree programs of their choice. The result is numerous frustrated, cash-strapped students – some of whom drop out of school because they can't afford the time or money to wait around until necessary courses become available.

The good news is that some community colleges hope to change this scenario by restructuring the priority registration hierarchy. Thus, freshmen may get an earlier start on completing their degree programs.

Rio Hondo College

Rio Hondo, located in Whittier, California, is bucking the trend on how freshmen register for their first semester. Instead of making students wait in the last spot, new students receive priority registration to help them enroll in the classes they need for their chosen degree programs. According to a report in the Whittier Daily News, high school students from El Monte Union High School District who enroll at Rio Hondo will receive priority registration during their first semester.

This video describes priority registration at California community colleges.

Henry Gee, vice president of student services at Rio Hondo College, told Whittier Daily News that the program will help new college students prepare for the career they are striving for. Gee said, "Slots in the classes are so tight right

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Careers: Casino Dealer

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Careers: Casino Dealer
Delve into the immersive learning experiences, state-of-the-art facilities, and expert faculty that ensure students are well-prepared to enter the glamorous realm of casinos. Join us on a journey of discovery as we unveil the secrets to securing a winning hand in the casino industry through top-notch community college training.

Step into the alluring world of community college training programs that pave the way to lucrative careers in the casino industry. In this captivating article, we explore how aspiring professionals are seizing the opportunity to gain specialized knowledge and practical skills needed for success in one of the most dynamic and thrilling industries. Uncover the diverse range of casino-related programs offered at community colleges, from casino management and hospitality to gaming technology and entertainment. Delve into the immersive learning experiences, state-of-the-art facilities, and expert faculty that ensure students are well-prepared to enter the glamorous realm of casinos. Join us on a journey of discovery as we unveil the secrets to securing a winning hand in the casino industry through top-notch community college training.

Casino jobs are expected to grow at an above-average pace over the next few years, which could translate into relatively stable career options. Fortunately, some community colleges are rising to the challenge, creating new training programs designed with casino dealers in mind. The training individuals receive from community colleges helps them land lucrative careers in the gaming industry, where tips and base salaries can provide a comfortable living.

The Life of a Casino Dealer

According to career information on StateUniversity.com, casino dealers:

  • Explain and enforce the rules and wagering guidelines for games
  • Ask patrons to place their bets
  • Conduct the games
  • Make payoffs to the winners
  • Collect losing bets

This job involves plenty of diversity since most casino dealers fluctuate between games like blackjack, craps, roulette,

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Community Colleges Leak Private Information: How to Protect Yourself

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Community Colleges Leak Private Information: How to Protect Yourself
Community college students in Florida are at risk of identity theft. Learn about what private information was accidentally published on public community college websites and how students can take action to guard their identities.

A number of Florida community colleges notified faculty and students last week about a potential security leak that may leave them vulnerable to identity theft. According to a report on Wakulla.com, as many as 126,000 individuals at six Florida colleges may have found their personal information inadvertently posted on the Internet between May 29 and June 2 of this year.

CCLA website

The colleges have notified affected individuals that the leak occurred, but what steps should they take to protect their personal and financial records?

Who is Responsible?

A report on SC Magazine states that a glitch in the College Center for Library Information's software led to the leak. According to the CCLA website, this organization provides automated library services and electronic resources to many Florida colleges. The organization determined that the leak occurred during a software upgrade, and they were unaware of the problem until a student reported finding personal information during a Google search.

"We pride ourselves on protecting private information and deeply regret this inadvertent exposure," CCLA CEO Richard Madaus said in a statement posted on SC Magazine, as well as other news publications. Madaus added, "I apologize to those involved for any worry or inconvenience this may cause them. We will continue to enhance our technology to safeguard all of the information entrusted to us."

This video explains how to prevent a security breach.

Who was Affected?

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