In this season of political debates and state budget discussions it is useful to remind ourselves and others of the unique and vital role of affordable and accessible public higher education, particularly in the life-transformative community college setting. I want to take a few moments here to do just that.
The context for this reminder is one of dwindling state support for public higher education here and elsewhere in the country. We've seen that decline over the past two years here in Missouri and again this year in a proposed cut that would bring state funding reductions to nearly 25% over three years. We are not alone. A recent article (http://www.acenet.edu/links/presidency/issues/2012_winter_feat_1.html) published by the American Council on Education (ACE) entitled "State Funding: A Race to the Bottom" (ACE, The Presidency, Winter 2012) tells the story of dwindling state support for higher education throughout the country. In the article, Missouri is identified as one of several states in which public funding for higher education is projected to 'zero out' by the year 2050, in our case by 2036.
The context for this reminder is one of dwindling state support for public higher education here and elsewhere in the country. We've seen that decline over the past two years here in Missouri and again this year in a proposed cut that would bring state funding reductions to nearly 25% over three years. We are not alone. A recent article (http://www.acenet.edu/links/presidency/issues/2012_winter_feat_1.html) published by the American Council on Education (ACE) entitled "State Funding: A Race to the Bottom" (ACE, The Presidency, Winter 2012) tells the story of dwindling state support for higher education throughout the country. In the article, Missouri is identified as one of several states in which public funding for higher education is projected to 'zero out' by the year 2050, in our case by 2036.
It would be easy to attribute this decline in funding to out of touch or uncaring state legislators, but of course our state leaders here as elsewhere are faced with their own financial shortfalls and resulting difficult funding choices. The job is ours, in that context, to continue to make the case for the transformative power of public higher education in the lives of individuals and state and local economies. Nowhere is that better done than in the countless stories that we can tell of these transformations in our own lives and the lives of our students.
I've shared my own story; it mimics the hundreds that we could tell. As a first generation college attendee I struggled to find the resources and confidence to go to college. But for Mr. Jim Sweeney, a high school counselor who insisted that I try, I would not have. All of my education has since been in public settings and has brought me to where I am today. Two of my three siblings followed my example and earned associates degrees in nursing and radiology, thereby breaking a generational cycle of relative poverty. My wife attended community college in St. Louis before going on to earn bachelors and masters degrees in education.
These stories are not unique. We have faculty members here at SCC who started their post-secondary educational journeys right here at SCC. We can point to countless students and families whose lives have been transformed by their experiences here. We can point to hundreds of businesses whose success has been strengthened by our ability to provide a trained workforce. We can point to thousands of people who have been able to learn a new skill, enjoy a new passtime, take a new risk by simply attending a class at SCC. We can point to hundreds of non-native speaking citizens who have been able to learn to English as a second language as they assimilate into productive lives here in their new country and region of choice. And on and on.
We need to tell these stories every day. They not only remind us of the value of what we do, but of the importance of ensuring that we will continue to do what we do with the same level of accessibility, affordability and excellence regardless of the challenges we face in funding reductions or other external factors of a changing economy. Take a moment this week to recall a story; better yet, take a moment to share a story here in response to this post. These are the stories that give purpose to what we do and feed our collective strength to persist and grow in the face of challenges. Let's not make them our best kept secrets.
As a founding faculty member at SCC, I have so many stories to share, I hardly know where to begin!
ReplyDeleteDuring my 25 years here I've had the privilege to help hundreds of laid-off workers find new careers in science and health . . . where there always seem to be plenty of jobs available.
I know one couple, both laid off from the airline industry years ago, who returned to school at SCC and are now both in happy and successful health-care careers.
Not long ago, I had two former engineers in my courses who had been laid off from their jobs. They successfully prepared for a transition to health care administration . . . and they're both working in that field right now.
I've seen hundreds of cases like this.
Nearly all of these folks told me that they never "in a million years" thought that during their successful "first careers" they ever be back in school and starting over. They all thought they because they (and their children) were out of college already, they didn't see any benefits this college could offer them.
These returning learners love the fact that SCC is not only close to home and affordable, but is also has a nurturing faculty and staff who go out of their way to help these folks once again find success in their lives. And a paycheck.
It is ironic that at times of critical need, the retraining of our citizens so that they can support themselves and add to economic recovery seems to lose much-needed support at the local, state, and federal levels.
NOW is the time to give community colleges more (not less) support!
Here in the SCC Foundation office, we get the pleasure of interacting with hundreds of students each year. Their stories are tremendous and inspirational. Here are just a few…
ReplyDelete- There's a recent high school graduate who miraculously recovered from a near-fatal car crash her senior year. However, medical bills and therapy keeps her from attending a university. Without SCC, she would not have the opportunity to pursue a college education.
- Another brave young woman decided to attend SCC so that she could be close to home and help her mom take care of her dad, who recently suffered from a stroke. She works full time and says that the affordable tuition at SCC is making college possible.
- A single mother of three recently lost her business and her house. She needed a job that could provide stability for her family and SCC is giving her the opportunity to start that journey.
- A young father of three decided to finally get his degree after losing his job in the construction industry. He’s working the night shift, going to school during the day and still maintaining to get a 4.0 GPA.
Every so often, I ask students what their education journey would look like if SCC didn’t exist. Many are speechless when they realize that common barriers – such as higher tuition and geographic location – might have actually made it impossible to go to college.
We are blessed to have a community college that does not sacrifice academic excellence for affordability. Thank you for helping us spread the word so that we can make sure that the opportunity for higher education remains viable for future generations.
Sure, some will go off to pursue careers across the nation but most choose to live, work and play in this community. When you champion the efforts of the local community college you are helping your neighbors, family and friends achieve the American dream.
I am one of the returning learners that Dr. Chesbrough, Kevin and Kasey referred to - I began my college career at SCC at the age of 47. Without this wonderful institution, I would not be where I am at today. At that time two of my children were in college and my youngest was a sophomore in high school and I wanted that college degree but I was afraid. I feared the unknown, failure and ridicule. I finally dragged a neighbor to a “Returning Learners Workshop” offered at SCC and my college career began. Liz Clemensen was the facilitator of the workshop and she had us all believing that we could be successful college students. The community college is the ideal place for all students to begin their college experience. Community colleges, especially St. Charles Community College, have smaller class size and all of my teachers knew my name; I received scholarships that helped me afford my education and SCC has a warm friendly environment that helped nurture this fledgling student. Four years later, a more confident woman thanks to SCC, I graduated with a 4.0 GPA and transferred to UMSL’s social work program. I completed my Master’s degree 4 years ago. For several years I facilitated the “Returning Learners Workshop” at SCC and followed the example of Liz Clemensen – encouraging people who needed the education to pull themselves out of financial catastrophe caused by job loss, divorce, death of a spouse, mistakes of youth or who just wanted to return to school. I am now the International Student Coordinator – hopefully passing on that same care and encouragement to our international students that choose to come to SCC for their education. Community Colleges allow all students the opportunity for post-secondary education. Now is the time to increase funding not cut it. The great leaders in history knew that education was the source of a successful civilization and it is my hope that our leaders come to the same conclusion.
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