Overview of Community College
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Community colleges were created in the early 20th century as a response to challenges of creating a more skilled workforce for economic success. A response to these challenges was to increase college attendance, however many “high school graduates were reluctant to leave home for a distant college” (AACC). Originally termed “junior colleges”, community colleges were small (enrolling less than 150 students) but committed to serving their community and the local needs. Today, community colleges support students by providing them the education, training, and skills needed to have fulfilling careers. As of 2023, there are 1,039 community colleges across the U.S. serving over 10.2 million students.
Before you begin a partnership with a community college it is important to understand that there are multiple individuals at the institution that you could potentially interact with to ensure the partnership is set up for success. While each community college will do their staffing a little differently, like with Head Start programs, there are commonalities across them as well. If you’re reaching out cold to the college, there are two potential lanes: beginning with the leadership up top or with the departments you’ll interact with most. Connecting with the head of the early childhood department or the on-campus child care facility will allow your discussions to begin with someone who has a common language and practical understanding of this type of partnership. Outside of the education program, another good place to start would be the Student Services area. They already provide resources to students for a variety of needs and can help navigate getting to the right person in the administration. However, at the end of the day, having someone in a leadership position (like a college trustee or president) advocating for the partnership can be the push needed to get others on board.
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees has the responsibility to provide governance to the community college. It creates a link between educational institutions and their communities. Depending on the state, the board is either appointed by the governor, elected by the citizens residing within the community college district, or some combination of both. They are guardians of and stewards for the public’s interests. Trustees, as members of boards, ensure that the community college district fulfills its responsibility to lead and serve its ever changing communities. While the responsibilities of the board will vary by institution, some are to:
Establish and review the mission of the college
Establish broad policies for the governance of the college
Select the president of the college
Appoint (on the recommendation of the president) other administrative officers and academic personnel
Approve the annual budget and any following revisions
Make sure the college has the necessary buildings and facilities to carry out its mission
Make recommendations to ensure the proper financial management of the college
Listen to any comments from citizens in the community
Maintain continuous oversight of the college
President/Chief Executive Officer
A community college president functions like the chief executive of a company. The leadership provided by the president sets the tone for the school’s mission and campus culture, establishes the school’s academic and financial goals, and executes the mission of providing students with the best possible learning environment. Typically, community college presidents are hired by and report to a board of trustees. The relationship between the board and the president is critical to ensure the success of the institution. The responsibilities of the president are quite expansive, but some include:
Serve as a liaison between the board and college staff
Appoint, supervise, and evaluate academic and institutional leadership
Prepare and submit annual budget proposals for the board’s review to ensure sound fiscal management of the institution
Coordinate and provide oversight of all administrative and managerial aspects of the institution
Keep the board apprised of important or noteworthy events such as unplanned budgetary needs, staff changes, and policy changes affecting the school
Ensure students have an environment conducive to learning, so they can meet their own academic goals and help meet the goals of the college
Create a college environment that appreciates and reflects diversity both in the student body and the workforce, and support the vision statement for the college
Establish the college's organizational structure
Lead the college’s strategic planning and continuous improvement process
Actively engage in community involvement and encourage community engagement on behalf of the college
Represent the college in various capacities on local, state, and national boards, task forces, and organizations
Chief Academic Officer
While responsibilities vary between institutions, the chief academic officer is typically the administrative head with responsibilities for the academic affairs of the institution. Their position titles can include provost, vice president of instruction, or chancellor. They work with a team of educators to develop curriculum, manage budgets, and ensure that students receive an education that meets or exceeds standards set by local or national organizations.
They may also be tasked with developing new initiatives or strategies to improve student performance or increase enrollment numbers. This might include creating partnerships with other organizations or businesses in the community, implementing new technology into classrooms, or even revamping entire curricula to better meet the needs of modern learners.
Vice Presidents
Community colleges have a series of vice presidents who provide senior leadership to the institution and serve on the president’s cabinet. Depending on the organizational structure that the president implements, some of the roles would include:
Enrollment Management
This position oversees the development and application of policies and procedures that affect the student body in the areas of enrollment management and student success. They facilitate the development and implementation of the college’s strategic enrollment management plan, promote institution-wide recruitment, retention, and completion of initiatives, and collaborate with faculty, staff, administration, student organizations, and community groups to ensure all students have access to all resources. They will typically oversee the following areas of service: admissions, financial aid, student life, disability services, learning assistance, enrollment planning, veterans’ affairs, and the registrar.
Operations/Administration
This position is essentially the chief business officer of an institution and is the second in charge of the college. They are responsible for planning, organizing, controlling, and directing the administrative functions and services of the college including insurance and risk management. This can include fiscal and budgetary functions, campus contracts encompassing food service, bookstore, and any other outside services on campus. Other areas of responsibility include public safety, facilities, information technology, print shop, and other administrative areas.
Institutional Advancement (Foundation)
This position serves as a separate non-profit entity within the college to provide external funding support and is responsible for the development and implementation of annual and long-range operational, marketing and communications, strategic, and resource development plans. Often, the grants and development office is housed here and works to secure funding for various initiatives. These efforts manage and promote alumni, individual, public, and organizational philanthropy, as well as institutional branding and communications.
Workforce Development
This position leads multiple efforts including the development and implementation of innovative workforce development, continuing education, and customized training for the business community. This position will often function in an outreach role to the community.
Deans
The academic dean directs the educational program of the college and is particularly responsible for planning with and encouraging faculty members, supervising the development of the curricula, enforcing the requirements, and approving the faculty load assignments and student programs of study. In determining educational policies, the deans usually share this responsibility with the president, the faculty policy or curriculum committee, and with the faculty in general.
Other Leadership Roles
General Counsel
Provides complex legal analysis, advice and counsel, and representation to executives, administrators, and staff regarding a wide array of legal matters arising from operational issues, practices, decisions, and transactions related to the institution and its programs and activities.
Facilities/Capital Improvement
Facilities management is responsible for the operational maintenance, expansion, and stewardship of the institution’s physical assets. They are also involved in the long term strategic planning for the growth of the campus. They oversee all projects ranging from maintenance to new construction.
Institutional Research
This position leads and supports the planning, evaluation, and institutional research efforts of the institution. They also manage the college’s external reporting and accountability processes and respond to internal, informational concerns. It supports the development of feedback processes and helps the college use quantitative and qualitative information to improve services and student learning and to prepare for the future.
Registrar
This area is responsible for college registration activities and maintenance and integrity of all student records. They compile data, surveys, and reports on enrollment and educational activities for administration, government, and other external agencies. They also perform and approve official graduation audits.
Financial Aid Administrators
Financial Aid Administrators (FAAs) help students achieve their educational potential by helping award and disburse monetary resources. They administer all financial aid programs and ensure compliance with laws and regulations.
Advising
This area helps students identify a major or program based on career and/or academic goals. Academic advisors can also teach students how to register for courses, make changes to a schedule, discuss academic progress, develop success skills, or help a student apply for graduation.
Student Support
In general, this area lends support to learners to help them develop and achieve success. They provide student-centered admissions, counseling, financial aid, and registrar services. In addition, in order to meet the needs and expectations of students throughout their experiences from prospective students to graduates, they may offer veterans affairs, disability and career services, student activities, career coaching, student health, and connection to social benefits programs.
Campus Directors
Campus directors are responsible for day-to-day administration and effective and efficient operation of their assigned campus. They perform a wide variety of tasks to ensure this by working with individuals, groups, and offices internal to the college, both within administrative services and between administrative services and other divisions. Campus and center directors also play a vital role in engaging the external community, particularly with groups such as the local chambers of commerce.
Informational Technology
Information technology services strives to support the academic mission of the community college of Baltimore County through excellence in design, development, and application of technology services for the college community.
Public Safety
This department provides services 24 hours a day throughout the year to create a safe and secure environment that enhances the quality of life for the college. The public safety department staff may include certified and non-certified officers, civilian staff, and student support.