Community colleges continue to shine
A recent Observer-Reporter editorial questioned whether college degrees were losing their luster. I would offer that is not the case thanks in large part to the spotlight that community colleges shine on career pathways leading to high-demand, family-sustaining jobs.
Overall, an increasing number of students attend community colleges as a stepping-stone to prestigious four-year colleges and universities, or as a cost-effective fast track toward careers that address workforce needs and meet industry standards.
In fact, the benefits of earning a degree or credential from your local community college are many and are accessible for all students. These include: lower tuition costs; course credits that seamlessly transfer to universities; a focus on teaching; small class sizes; practical training; use of the latest technologies; varied program offerings; cultural and social activities that meet the local community’s needs; and excellent support services.
As president of Community College of Beaver County, I witness on a daily basis the impact we and our colleague institutions across the state have on our constituencies, especially the region in which we each serve.
In Beaver County alone, CCBC is focused on partnerships and preparation that expand the economic potential of the region and create opportunities for lifelong learning.
For example:
• Rising to meet the opportunities created by Shell’s cracker plant announcement, CCBC is continually enhancing and developing programs to recruit and train a highly skilled and multidimensional workforce.
• CCBC’s nationally acclaimed High School Academy program continues grow with nearly 200 Aviation and Health Academy students enrolled from 40 school districts throughout Beaver County and Southwestern Pennsylvania, and a new STEM Academy will debut next fall.
• The College is signing a myriad of additional articulation agreements with four-year institutions. These included a bachelor’s degree program with the College of Southern Illinois delivered on-site at the Aviation Sciences Center; RN to BSN options with Clarion and Carlow Universities; 14 additional agreements with Robert Morris University; and eight additional program partnerships with Geneva College over the last year.
• Dedicated to meeting students where they are, CCBC is diversifying offerings for adult learners and others who need flexible opportunities to balance college and life, including late-start, evening, Saturday classes, and expanded online learning.
The commonwealth needs to invest in its postsecondary education system, and in its community colleges in particular. Research suggests that providing access to high-quality education is one of the most effective investments a state can make. As the foundation of Pennsylvania’s postsecondary education system, it is imperative that the commonwealth provide support for its largest provider of postsecondary education: its community colleges.
Community colleges are efficient and innovative in the delivery of postsecondary education and workforce training. They are flexible and respond quickly to the needs of the communities, students, businesses and industries they serve, and offer courses at a wide variety of locations with nontraditional schedules to meet student demand.
Clearly, community colleges are the catalyst for regional economic impact and a cornerstone for future economic viability.
Reber is the president of Community College of Beaver County.