Community College Journal - December 2010/January 2011

PERSPECTIVE
...
Reality From Rhetoric to
Expanding the dialogue from the White House Summit on Community Colleges

The spotlight on community colleges has not dimmed in the weeks since the first-ever White House Summit on Community Colleges. After hearing from President Obama, Second Lady and community college professor Jill Biden, and students and peers in the East Wing, thought leaders returned to their boardrooms and districts charged with turning the rhetoric from this historic event into reality. Below, several participants share their experiences and look forward to the future.

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Dr. Walter Bumphus President and CEO, American Association of Community Colleges In my 36 years of working in and with community colleges, the White House Summit on Community Colleges was arguably the most phenomenal day of my career. The only thing that would have been better is if we could have had 1,200 college presidents and chancellors in the audience. I have never witnessed a more positive and optimistic feeling amongst college leaders as I did that day. While extremely optimistic, all of the leaders were nevertheless very realistic about the tremendous amount of work to be done in the future, and the pending budgetary crisis most of the leaders face in their respective states. It is important that we all continue to roll up our sleeves to get the job done and to continue to move the needle as it relates to not only access, but to student success and completion.

Helen Benjamin Chancellor, Contra Costa Community College District, Calif. The White House Summit on Community Colleges was a historic event that validated the great work that community colleges are doing all across the nation and the important role our institutions play in higher education. That acknowledgement and recognition of our work with millions of students by the President of the United States was most appreciated. The summit also challenged us to do more and to be better at what we do and, therefore, sent a clear signal for change.

Jennifer Lara
Professor of Education,
Anne Arundel Community
College, Md.
What a valuable opportunity to
collaborate and dialogue with promi-
nent leaders and stakeholders in
higher education and showcase the
effectiveness of community college
programs. To carry the momentum
forward, the education department
at our college is meeting with several
leaders at the U.S. Department of
Education to discuss current pro-
grams, legislation, and our college’s
role in either or both.

In my 36 years of working in and with community colleges, the White House Summit on Community Colleges was arguably the most phenomenal day of my career.