Community College Journal - February/March 2010

AACC, ACCT Launch
Advocacy Toolkit
W

ith community colleges aiming to capitalize on
newfound political clout and restore funding to
state education budgets, the American Association
of Community Colleges (AACC), together with the
Tips for successfully placing an op-ed piece in a local or national media outlet
include checking the newspaper’s online guidelines for the preferred word count;

submitting the op-ed by e-mail as a Word document or embedded in the text of the
e-mail; having the president of the institution send the file; asking for a confirma-
tion upon receipt; following up by
telephone and speaking to the editor
personally; promptly responding to
requests for additional information
and edits where needed; having a
backup in the event that your preferred
publication is not interested; and sub-
mitting your op-ed to only one publica-
tion at a time.
These and other resources available
on the site come at a time of steep edu-
cation budget deficits in many states.
Despite the role community colleges are
expected to play in helping put Ameri-
cans back to work, the fight for
dollars to fulfill such
a promise in a
down economy
continues, and
that’s where ex-
perts say the toolkit
will help.
“The community
college is one of our
best economic develop-
ment tools in that it can
tailor training programs
to suit the needs of indus-
try, “ said Idaho Sen. John
Goedde recently. “It pro-
vides additional education to
working adults in the com-
munity or those attempting to
gain employment skills.”
Leaders in the federal govern-
ment agree. The fact sheet quotes
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben
Bernanke, who said, “Community
colleges have made a significant
contribution to expanding educational
opportunities. Attendance at one of
these institutions is associated with
higher wages, even if a degree is not
completed. Evidence suggests that each
year of credit at a community college
is worth almost as much, in terms of
increased earnings potential, as a year
at a four-year college.”

Association of Community Colleges Trustees, has
created a new online toolkit intended to give stake-
holders an edge when reach-
ing out to local, state, and
federal representatives.

The toolkit, available for free on AACC’s Web site at www. aacc.nche.edu/Advocacy/toolkit, contains customizable print advertisements, a sample letter, a fact sheet, and an op-ed piece designed to help member colleges make their case before state legislatures and other key audiences.

Designed for colleges with or without in-house graphics expertise, a set of five customizable print advertisements allows colleges to get their message out through the pages of local newspapers and magazines.

Community colleges can’t deliver for us unless we deliver for them. Supported by the American Association of Community Colleges ( aacc.nche.edu) and Association of Community College Trustees ( acct.org) Highly trained first-responders are a critical investment. Over 80% of firefighters and other first responders are credentialed by community colleges. Half of new nurses and more than 60% of other health care professionals – from EM Ts to radiologists – are also educated here. Now community colleges have a critical need. Enrollments are up by almost 17% nationwide, and college budgets are not keeping up. If community colleges can’t educate first responders, who will? Now is the time for state and local governments to increase funding for community colleges. The health and safety of your community depend on it. Tell your local lawmakers to increase funding for community colleges now. s about ved, such as having d federal representatives dent. ble op-ed give community colleges two working adul munity or tho gain employme Leaders in the ment agree. The f Federal Reserve C Bernanke, who said colleges have made

Acollege-educatedworkforce, inaslittleas10months.

Communitycollegescan’tdeliver forusunlesswedeliverforthem.

If the goal is to reach important decision makers in the community, the customizable sample letter enables college fundraisers to include pertinent institutional information, such as size of recent budget reductions and examples of existing community partnerships likely to appeal to legislators. It also provides suggestions about how to make sure the letter is well received, such as having any correspondence with local, state, and federal representatives approved and signed by the college president.

There’ snodenyingjobsarekeytoeconomicrecovery.AndcommunitycollegesprepareAmericans foreconomy-drivingjobsfasterthananyothereducationalsystem.Economistsknowit,the

ObamaAdministrationknowsitandstudentsknowit.It’swhytherearemorestudentsattending communitycollegestodaythanever.Butwhileenrollmentincommunitycollegeshasgrownby almost17%nationwide, stateandlocalfundingisnotkeepingpace.Communitycollegesareworking hardtohelpstudentsandourcommunity.Withoutthem,there’snotellingwherewe’dbe.

Tellyourlocallawmakerstoincreasefundingforcommunitycollegesnow.

SupportedbytheAmericanAssociationofCommunityColleges( aacc.nche.edu)andAssociationofCommunityCollegeTrustees( acct.org)

Likewise, the fact sheet and customizable op-ed give community colleges two additional vehicles to tell their story—and dispel the myths of public perception that can muddy an institution’s message. Colleges can use these tools to set the record straight about their economic impact, contributions to the health and safety of the local community, and role in creating a diverse and sustainable 21st-century workforce.