Community College Journal - April/May 2012

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BY MYRTLE E.B. DORSEY FROM THE CHAIR We have to dare to make a difference for the students we serve. Now The Time to Innovate Is

Innovation is defined as the introduction of something new—a new idea, method, or device. The introduction of new education, training, and resources have made community colleges go-to destinations for countless tudents in search of better lives and for businesses and industries in search of more capable talent. As community college leaders, we have a unique opportunity to be entrepreneurial and innovative while producing measurable student outcomes.

But innovation does not happen spontaneously. To keep the wheels of thought and creativity churning, we have to step back and realistically evaluate our educational programs (credit and noncredit). We have to constantly benchmark industry needs. Sometimes this means being bold enough to shutter programs that are no longer relevant to our students, either for career and/or transfer opportunities. It means updating training programs where industries have changed—and, ultimately, preparing our students for the challenges ahead.

One of those challenges is equipping students with the skills for a changing workforce, especially as the U.S. economy continues to shift away from producing goods toward providing services.

Consider the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ overview of the fastest-growing professions through 2020.

The top six—personal care aides, home health aides, biomedical engineers, helpers (bricklayers, masons, tile setters, et cetera), carpenters, and veterinary technolo-gies/technicians—are all predominantly service-oriented pursuits. Community college education and job-training programs need to move in lockstep with these economic shifts.

institutions. We must continue to demonstrate our value through the introduction of innovative practices. It’s time to push the envelope. We have to be courageous as it relates to new approaches and program models. We have to dare to make a difference for the students we serve.

A Little Help

The good news: We won’t have to do it alone. President Obama has sought historic federal support for community colleges. Early this year, he proposed the Community College to Career Fund, an $8 billion, three-year job-training package to match students with high-demand careers. Obama also proposed $1 billion for a new Race to the Top program to support innovations in higher education financing and degree completion, and an additional $55.5 million for First in the World grants that would strengthen the nation’s position in the global economy.

Whether these programs win congressional support remains to be seen. But their very existence, even as proposals, raises the profile and validates the mission of our

Changing Needs

Our students do not live life from 9 to

5. Bankers’ hours are no longer a viable option for community college students. If we’re to make a difference—to truly ignite innovation—we have to shed the blinders. We have to destroy those tired old classroom notes and take a quantum leap.