Community College Journal - April/May 2013

She adds, “There is no one-size-fits-all approach.”

Tough Choices

However community colleges choose to pursue reform, Bumphus urges them to do so while continuing to hold high the principles that have guided their institutions throughout their century-old history— not the least of which are value and quality.

Deep budget cuts and a seemingly perpetual resource drain mean that many institutions will have to bear down.

“It’s going to be hard work,” says
Bumphus. “But I think most of our
colleges are very interested in being
involved in this process.”
AACC and the members of its 21st-
Century Commission are confident that
the nation’s two-year institutions have

What’s Next?

Tracking the progress of the 21st-Century Commission on the Future of Community Colleges

Spring 2013: Implementation teams meet in San Francisco

Early 2014: Implementation teams complete work and report to steering committee

Spring 2014: Final report to community college leaders released at 94th Annual Convention in Washington, D.C.

the will and the creativity to reinvent the learning model that serves almost half of the nation’s undergraduates.

“Community college leaders have to make some tough decisions and have some courageous conversations on their campuses,” says Bumphus. “But I haven’t heard one president yet say they were going to walk away from their commitment to completion and their commitment to student success.”

COREY MURRAY is managing editor of Community College Journal.

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Download the 21st-Century Commission on the Future of Community Colleges’ full report and get access to videos and other esources about the reforms here: www.aacc.nche.edu/21stcenturyreport.

2013 NATIONAL Pacesetter of the Year

Each year, the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations recognizes a select group of two-year college presidents for their outstanding support and leadership in community college marketing and public relations. NCMPR congratulates this year’s Pacesetters for understanding the importance of communications and supporting their marketing professionals in telling the community college story!