2015-2020

Community colleges have seen a significant rise in enrollment since the economic slowdown began, due in part to the need for retraining into careers that are more lucrative and recession-proof. As waiting lists for community colleges across the country continue to grow, some students are turning to vocational, for-profit colleges to meet their academic needs in the interim. Unfortunately, certain rather unscrupulous practices by these for-profit institutions have resulted in federal regulations that will negatively affect the community college environment as well.

What is the Gainful Employment Rule?

While community colleges offer associate's degrees in a wide range of subjects, they also provide specific job training in particular fields that takes less time to complete. For-profit institutions also offer these training programs to help students get through school and into the workforce as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, some of these training programs do not offer the necessary preparation in fields that are demanding new hires, leaving students without gainful employment and additional debt from their schooling that they cannot pay.

To address this concern, the Federal Department of Education has put forth a rule known as the Gainful Employment Rule. This regulation will discourage career colleges from providing misleading information about the employment prospects students can expect after completing their training. The rule targets predatory career colleges that purposely provide inaccurate industry information and encourage students to take out loans for career training that has little chance of producing a lucrative job –

Last year, President Obama announced his ambitious plan to graduate five million more students from community colleges by 2020. According to a report at WhiteHouse.gov, the President believes this goal is necessary to ensure the United States can continue to be a leader in the global economy. However, boosting graduation rates at community colleges nationwide may be easier said than done. To facilitate the process, California has developed a list of recommendations to increase graduation rates in that state, which could serve as a model for other states.

Room for Improvement

According to a Southern California Public Radio report, there is plenty of room for improvement in California community colleges today. A study by California State University, Sacramento, found that seven of every ten students do not complete a two-year degree or transfer to a four-year institution. Long Beach City College President Eloy Ortiz Oakley told the radio station, "We need to improve the education of our workforce rapidly, and community colleges are the gateway to the majority of that workforce in California."

This video explains how one community college uses data to increase graduation rates.

Finding Solutions

To help achieve that end, the Community College League of California has issued recommendations for community colleges to follow. The "Commission on the Future's 2020 Vision for Student Success" report outlines 17 recommendations designed

Students no longer need to attend a four-year university to obtain a bachelor's degree. More community colleges nationwide have "graduated" from issuing associate's to bachelor's degrees. Community college courses cost a mere fraction of public or private university options - which means that students who earn bachelor's degrees at their community college can save tens of thousands of dollars while pursuing their educational goals.

Unfortunately, not everyone in academia supports community colleges issuing bachelor's degrees. Critics are concerned that universities will experience a drop in student enrollment, which will ultimately lead to a loss of revenues. The debate is becoming increasingly heated, with educational leaders and community members divided on allowing community colleges to issue bachelor's degrees.

The Growing Fight for Four-Year Degrees

Community colleges in a dozen states nationwide have already gained the right to issue bachelor's degrees, and more campuses are looking for the same privileges.

For example, as News Day reveals, Michigan is fighting loudly against state restrictions that prevent community colleges from offering 4-year degrees. As Michigan's state representative John Walsh asserts, community colleges could offer improved job training opportunities for the future of Michigan's auto workers if local campuses could issue 4-year degrees. Subsequently, Walsh introduced a new bill that would permit community colleges to offer 4-year degrees in nursing, cement technology, and culinary arts. If the bill is approved, the large number of unemployed workers in the state could have opportunities to

As the demand to “go green” seems to be growing in relevance in recent years, many community college students are implementing actions to promote environmental change and progress by creating clubs and organizations to improve their local environments. Adding to this, community college leaders have also created programs and courses to help educate students on the importance of nature-based learning through environmental studies.

Lewis and Clark Community College

Students at Lewis and Clark Community College have easy and convenient access to learning more about environmentally-friendly initiatives and actions, as LCCC has established a “Green Living Club” to teach students and members about the importance of living an eco-responsible lifestyle. As LCCC’s “Green Living Club” asserts, “The Green Living Club is dedicated to the education and promotion of a green, eco-friendly lifestyle on and off-campus. There are so many ways that individuals can help protect the planet.”

The club strives to inform students and local residents about significant and current environmental issues, while the club simultaneously strives to encourage people to live greener lifestyles by taking a hands-on part in improving the green-focus of LCCC’s campus.

Suffolk Community College

In addition to an array of programs and courses, Suffolk Community College maintains its ecological focus by providing students and residents with a Nature Reserve. With miles of trails and preserve areas, individuals can explore the Nature Reserve

As the demand for environmentally valuable technologies is rising, community colleges across the country are implementing programs to provide students with the skills and knowledge to compete in the future "green collar" job force.

According to The Times Herald-Record, a "green collar" job is a job that "has been upgraded to address the environmental changes of our country." Generated by the need for energy efficiency, careers in fields of energy auditors, weatherization workers, solar electric and water installers, and insulation installers, are all jobs that are projected to be in high demand.

Since the demand is already on the rise, there is already a need for millions of "green collar" workers, and the training demands are immediate. Acknowledging this increasing demand, community colleges are implementing revolutionary programs to prepare students for careers as "green collar" workers in fields of renewable energy. With competitive pay and incredible demand, students are eager to join programs that will lead to sustainable and valuable careers after college.

Community Colleges Gaining Newsworthy Recognition

While community colleges across the country are implementing renewable and green collar programs, Cape Fear Community College, Cape Cod Community College, and Columbia George Community College are just three of the many institutions that have gained media attention for their newsworthy programs and course offerings.

Cape Fear Community College

In Wilmington North Carolina, Cape Fear Community College's Engineering Department has developed a renewable energy lab. Focusing on the research and use of hydrogen fuel cells,