Community College Engagement in Local Communities

Community College Engagement in Local Communities

EDINFONo. 2003-05
July 2003
ERIC Clearinghouse for Community Colleges

This 2001 American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) study explored community college engagement in local community programs and services. Surveys were sent to a national sample of 1,067 community colleges, and 363 responded, resulting in a 34 percent response rate. The study found that community colleges are actively involved in their communities, and that community engagement is central to the mission and value statements of community colleges. Highlighted here are selected findings.

Over 82 percent of community colleges reported that involvement in community programs and services is part of their mission statement.

To encourage student involvement in the community, 66 percent of colleges hold community service events on campus, and 45 percent provide service learning opportunities.

Over half (51 percent) of the responding community colleges provide diversity awareness training, and more than 80 percent sponsor events celebrating the traditions of other cultures.

Twenty-nine percent of community colleges provide leadership training for local youth.

Over 95 percent of colleges provide meeting rooms for community groups, and 78 percent make their auditoriums available to the community. Almost 80 percent of responding colleges allow community members to use their library facilities.

Almost 62 percent of community colleges hold health screenings or health fairs for community members.

Seventy-six percent of community colleges provide access to arts and cultural events, and over half of the responding colleges sponsor a museum.

Almost 91 percent of colleges work with secondary schools to encourage students to pursue higher education, and 92 percent offer dual or concurrent enrollment programs.

This information was reported in ED463818, "Community College Engagement in Community Programs and Services. AACC Research Brief" by Lisa Phinney, Mary Kay Schoen, and Ellen Hause. A full-text copy of this document may be obtained by contacting ERIC Document Reproduction Services (EDRS), 7420 Fullerton Road, Suite 110, Springfield, VA 22153-2852; or by calling (800) 443-ERIC. This project has been funded at least in part with Federal funds from the U.S. Department of Education under contract number ED-99-CO-0010. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Education nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. ERIC EdInfos are in the public domain and may be freely reproduced.

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