The first community college was formed in 1901 as a result of a growing demand in the workforce for talented, skilled workers with an education in their field.¹ An affordable, close-to-home solution, this seemingly basic concept has spawned a boom in education, raising college attendance rates, graduation rates, and creating a pool of quality individuals ready to enter the workforce or transfer to a four-year university. But low costs aren’t the only reason community colleges are popular.

Education experts cite many reasons for the current rise in community college interest, such as hikes in traditional college tuition, flexible class options, small class sizes, and concentrated programs. Each year, more and more students are forgoing large lecture halls, expensive tuition, and traditional classes for the amenities of a community college.

Matt Kaszas, a first-year student at Century College in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, is working toward his Associates of Arts (AA) degree in Wildlife Conservation, where upon receiving it, he will transfer to University of Wisconsin – River Falls in River Falls, Wisconsin to finish his four-year degree.

“For me, the biggest factor when deciding where to go came from a financial standpoint,” Kaszas said, “And now that I’m here, there are smaller classes, one-on-one [interaction] with the faculty … I get a lot out of it.”

Kaszas is not alone in “getting a lot out of it.” According to the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), in their network of 1,202 colleges, close to 12 million students enroll in courses every year. This number contributes to the 46 percent of all U.S. undergraduates, 50 percent of the minority undergraduates, and 57 percent of adult learners, ages 40 to 65 years.² Some of the most popular programs for traditional and non-traditional students include a two-year nursing program, information technology, auto technology, and law enforcement.³

The Kuder Career Planning System has long been a promoter of a community college education, recognizing that for many students, the two-year pathway is often one that is more beneficial to them, yielding timely, positive results for a successful professional life. As a partner with the League for Innovation and CCTI College Network, Kuder has a presence on community college campuses nationwide, changing the way students and adults plan their future.

Karen Machlica, Career Counselor at Century College, has worked with many students with a goal of getting them started on the right foot.

“We teach a career planning class every semester here, and students can take the Kuder assessments at that point,” Machlica said. “Students appreciate the free (to them) assessments, the different options in assessments, and that they can get their results right away to discuss with a counselor if they like.”

Century works to make sure all students are aware of the career counseling services available to them.

“They set you up with a plan at the beginning of the year,” Kaszas said. “At a student seminar, the counselors talk about what we will need to succeed, who we can talk to, and where to find the counselors. It put me on the right track.”

Kuder Arkansas Field Trainer Ruth Brown, a former community college career center coordinator, sees the opportunities community colleges provide to many people, of all backgrounds and ambitions, to put them on the right path at different points in their life.

“Community colleges have served to fill in the gaps between high school and higher education so that more educational opportunities are accessible for everyone,” Brown said.

“They accommodate students who work odd hours by offering hybrid classes as options; they meet the needs of those who want to learn skills that will get them into the workforce quickly; and they have strong relationships with local industries to assist students with job placement. They are an institution that has opened its doors to the entire community and because of that they are able to gain a much broader range of students, from older adults to high school students in dual-enrollment programs.”

Increasing their exposure within the community is one way community colleges have been able to place themselves as a reliable institution meeting the needs of many. Contributing to that, and helping with exposure, is a college’s accreditation. Century College is part of the North Central Accreditation, according to Machlica. Meeting a list of tough standards and practices, accreditation not only gives validity to a college’s name, it authorizes all credits and work a student does, ensuring a smooth transfer of credits.

But not all students choose to transfer. One of the long-standing stereotypes of community colleges is that they are “just a tech school.” And while some community colleges have specialized technical programs in skilled trades such as auto technology, computer-aided drafting, and heavy equipment, there are just as many schools that offer students a variety of programs, certifications, and licensures in areas such as dental hygiene, nursing, and web design. The type of student taking these classes is as varied as the programs offered.

“Some people look at community college students as underachievers, but I see them as very focused,” Brown said. “They are going to school, usually working, and they may have a family to care for, all while working hard to complete their education. They are motivated, focused, and ready to get their career underway. These people are good students and make great employees.”

Getting students on the pathway to their career choice, whether it is through transfer to a four-year university, graduation with an AA degree, or refresher in job skills, is a common thread for community colleges across the nation. Collaboration with Kuder is just one way students and educators can work together to reach their goals quicker.

“In the short time it takes to complete a Kuder assessment, students realize they need career guidance; they need to know why they are doing what they are doing; and they need to understand the connection between what they are studying and what they will be doing for the rest of their lives, and how they can use those skills,” Brown said. “Kuder helps people understand where they are going and how they are going to get there. When they take those assessments, it’s like a light goes on. Self-discovery through the Kuder Career Search with Person Match; learning how and when to take the right classes with the Education Planner; and discovering their career options and opportunities are all very valuable to the student. Employers benefit by having highly motivated, skilled, and focused employees to hire.”

More than just a difference in the dollars, community colleges are quickly becoming the choice among first-time college goers, returning adults, and workforce personnel because of the many small, detailed amenities that make their education programs and student life second to none. More and more education professionals recognize two-year colleges as a valuable asset to their communities, helping individuals reach their educational goals and achieve personal and professional success.

1“Historical Information.” About Community Colleges. American Association of Community Colleges. April 2007. http://www.aacc.nche.edu

2“There’s Strength in our Numbers.” Flyer. American Association of Community Colleges. April 2007. http://www.aacc.nche.edu

3“The Community College Impact. About Community Colleges. American Association of Community Colleges. April 2007. http://www.aacc.nche.edu

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