LGBT Studies Major: A First for Community Colleges

Community colleges have become a major focus of post-secondary education since President Obama made them one of his top focus areas over the first two years of his administration. Last year, the first national community college survey was conducted to determine what impact community colleges might have on adults and industries nationwide. The Pearson Foundation's data share insight into who attends community college today and some of the major challenges these institutions and their students face.

Who is Attending Community College?

One part of the survey looked at the types of students community colleges frequently see today, and the results were reported in the Washington Post. This information can help colleges determine the best courses, faculty, and schedules to accommodate their student body demographics. The Pearson Foundation study found:

• One-third of the student population at community colleges enrolled right after graduating from high school.
• One-third were returning to college from the workforce, presumably to get additional training for their current jobs or the education necessary to switch careers.
• One-third were taking community college courses for self-improvement or enjoyment purposes.
• Half the students surveyed were age 26 or older.
• About 60 percent were planning to transfer to a four-year university after completing their community college degree program (the actual transfer rates are much lower).

Most community college students are much older than those attending a four-year university. In addition, many community college students have already been in the workforce; many are married and have families. This changes the

The trend in the United States has gradually been moving from placing elderly patients in hospitals and long-term care facilities to allowing them to stay in their homes and communities for as long as possible. To achieve that goal, the role of the home caregiver has also expanded, with more need for these trained professionals than ever before. Home caregivers make regular trips to the homes of patients to help them live independently for as long as possible. While training for qualified caregivers has not kept up with demand, new training programs are cropping up at community colleges around the country to get more professionals into this rewarding career.

Jobs for Caregivers

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for home caregivers and health aides is expected to increase exponentially as the demand for these professionals rises. Many caregivers work part-time evenings and weekends, while others find full-time employment. Some of the duties of a home caregiver might include:

• Working with elderly or physically or mentally disabled patients to help them live independently
• Helping patients recently discharged from hospitals as they recover from illness, injury or surgery
• Providing psychological support and instruction to patients they visit
• Performing light housekeeping duties like changing linens and cooking meals
• Checking a patient's vital signs and keeping a record of the results for doctors
• Assisting patients with basic functions like bathing, grooming or dressing

Because many home caregivers must help patients get in and out of bed or get

Community colleges are available in nearly every city across the United States, helping high school graduates and professional adults alike get the training and education they need to succeed in their chosen careers. A key component in a quality education from a community college is the school's accreditation, which ensures other schools and professional industries will recognize the degree and education received. However, not all community colleges successfully keep their accreditation status intact, leaving students and faculty scrambling to legitimize the education process without this important stamp of approval.

What is Accreditation?

According to the Maryland Higher Education Commission, accreditation is "a voluntary process of self-regulation and peer review adopted by the educational community." This means that educational institutions have agreed to evaluate one another to determine whether each has successfully achieved their stated educational goals.

When a school is accredited, it has been proven to provide a quality of education recognized by the community. Accredited schools are better recognized for their coursework and credits earned, and students who attend these institutions are more likely to be able to receive financial aid or transfer credits to another college or university.

It is important to note that while there are a number of different types of accreditation available to colleges today, the only legitimate accreditation organizations are recognized by the United States Department of Education. Not all colleges that are approved by their states are accredited as well. Prospective students should always

During the current economic slowdown, more adults are heading back to community college to get the necessary retraining for more lucrative careers. High school graduates that cannot afford a four-year university right away are looking at community colleges as a less expensive route to the education they need. It sounds like community colleges are the perfect answer, right?

Unfortunately, community colleges are not the white knight that many struggling in a sluggish economy would hope. These institutions are facing diminishing financing themselves, at a time when enrollment demand for a community college education is at an all time high. Many community colleges across the country are facing the inconceivable reality of turning students away at the door because there is simply no more room in the classes to accommodate them. One of the states that has been hit hardest with the community college overload is California – and it doesn't look like there is any relief in sight.

Long Wait Lists and Less Support Available

According to a recent report at the Los Angeles Times, more than 140,000 students were turned away from community colleges in California during the last academic year. This year, the number of students who can't get into classes is predicted to be double. At Cypress College, around 6,200 students were on wait lists for courses last year, with 13,000 more waiting at Bakersfield College and as many as 80,000 in the Los Rios