Why Don’t More Community College Students Transfer to Four-Year Schools?

Community college is the only option for many students who either can’t afford a traditional four-year university or who need a more flexible school environment. Just because community college is different, however, doesn’t mean that its students matter any less. The Aspen Prize exists to encourage community colleges to do more for their students and to continually strive for improvement.

For many years, community colleges had a reputation for being a lesser version of traditional 4-year colleges and universities. It was common for community colleges to offer a smattering of courses at affordable tuition rates, but many were found lacking when it came to helping students complete a degree or transfer to an accredited university.

The Aspen Prize was developed to reward community colleges that go the extra mile toward help their students complete degrees and experience success after graduation. The organization that awards the prize assesses how well institutes perform in four different areas. The award is given every two years and the recipients should be viewed as examples for other community colleges to follow if they hope to do what is best for their students.

In this article, we’ll explore the history of the Aspen Prize and how it was developed. We’ll also take a closer look at this year’s recipients to determine what other community colleges can do to follow their example of commitment to student success, both in college and after graduating.

What is the Aspen Prize?

The Aspen Prize for

College is expensive, there’s no doubt about it. Because tuition prices are constantly on the rise, many graduating high school seniors choose to attend community college. Community college is a convenient and affordable way to obtain a 2-year degree or to complete some prerequisites before transferring to a 4-year college. But you still have to consider the cost of living.

Many community college students choose to live at home while studying to compound the money-saving benefits of attending community college. If you’re going to a school a little further from home, however, or if you’re looking for a more authentic college experience, you might be looking into other options. Whether you choose to live on campus or off, consider living with a roommate to save money.

In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of living with a roommate and talk about the pros and cons of living on campus versus off-campus living. We’ll also provide you with some simple tips for keeping the peace while living with a roommate while attending community college.

What Are the Benefits of Living with Roommates?

Everyone who’s ever lived with another person has horror stories about awkward or frustrating interactions. The truth is that sharing a space with another person is likely to bring up a few challenges. But what are the benefits of living with a roommate?

Here are a few of the good things to consider:

• Having a roommate to split costs can save you a lot

Though doctors often get the glory of healing the sick, the nurses who work with them often provide most of the day-to-day care. Nurses work long hours doing thankless work and, many would agree, for less pay than they deserve. These things make many people who work in the nursing field consider returning to school for a graduate degree.

Graduate degrees in nursing are prevalent, and obtaining a degree can boost your opportunities to get a better, higher-paying job. There are, however, no guarantees. Before pursuing a graduate degree in nursing, you should closely examine the details and determine whether it is worth it.

In this article, we'll explore the details of some of the most popular graduate degrees in nursing and whether they are worth the cost. We'll also discuss how long it takes to obtain a nursing degree and how you can use community college to help get you there.

What Are the Most Popular Degrees in Nursing?

The nursing field applies to many of those who desire to help people and work in a challenging field without having to deal with the monetary or time commitment of medical school. Before you enter the nursing field, however, you should know the different degree options and what you can do with each of them.

Here is a quick list of the most common types of nursing degrees:

• Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN)
• Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN)
• Associate of Science in Nursing

First Responders and Emergency Services: Specialized Roles and Training

Disclaimer: I am writing this article against the backdrop of the catastrophic Los Angeles fires. The Pacific Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire started on January 7, 2025. The scenes of destruction are appalling. If I seem emotional sometimes, it's because I ran with the Warren Volunteer Fire Department in the 80s when I lived in Litchfield County, Connecticut. I know firsthand how devoted these first responders, firefighters, emergency responders, and all the other personnel fighting the fires are to their calling. These folks work tirelessly in hazardous conditions. ~Rob Kennedy

The Premise

In an era marked by escalating environmental disasters and security threats, the field of emergency services (EMS) has never been more critical. Yet, the EMS field is facing a critical workforce shortage. The American Ambulance Association reports a 20-30% annual turnover rate for EMTs and paramedics, meaning agencies need to replace their entire staff approximately every four years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 7% growth rate for paramedic jobs from 2018 to 2028, with about 18,700 new jobs expected over the next decade.

As I will show you, there's a wide range of positions available in the field. Best of all, they suit dedicated men and women of all ages. For example, when I ran with the Warren VFD, I started by learning how to drive the ambulance.