[ONLINE] - Why Community College Bachelor’s Degrees? Similarities and Differences Across Urban and Rural Settings

People in communities of all sizes need affordable, accessible higher education. In half of states, at least some community colleges can offer bachelor’s degree programs. While areas of study for community college bachelor’s (CCB) programs may vary between rural and urban colleges, the core goals for offering CCBs are similar. For example, more remote rural colleges may aim to offer the only local bachelor’s degree option available, while urban institutions may focus on complementing the capacity of other local colleges to help students move into high-demand professions. Yet colleges across locales share a focus on access and affordability for students rooted in the community that drives their bachelor’s degree program offerings.

In this event, four program directors and lead faculty for CCB programs from rural and urban institutions will share their experiences with developing, launching, and continuing to support CCB programs in their colleges. They will also discuss how community and employer relationships factor into their CCB programs and what value they feel their programs bring to the local community.

We invite you to join us for this conversation in conjunction with the release of new research and hope to be able to welcome you on September 28.

Follow the conversation and provide live questions and commentary on Twitter with the hashtag #ccbachelorsdegree and by following the Twitter handle @NewAmericaLabor.

Introductory Remarks:

Iris Palmer, @Irisonhighered
Deputy Director for Community Colleges, New America

Sue Cui, @sue_cui
Senior Program Officer, Ascendium

Panel Discussion:

Lael Noonan
Central Wyoming College

Helen Reid
Trinity Valley Community College

Connie Renda
San Diego Mesa College

Linda Smarzik
Austin Community College

Ivy Love, @IvyRuthL (moderator)
New America