Certificate Programs At Community Colleges Offer Employment Opportunities

Tom Snyder, President of Ivy Tech

If you are a recent college graduate and haven’t found a job, perhaps it’s time to think about going back to school and getting trained in a field that is actually hiring.

The best way to do so may be with a specialized certificate programs now offered by all community colleges. Continue Reading

Top 120 Community Colleges in America

Highlighting the critical importance of improving student success in America’s community colleges, the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program recently named 120 top community colleges, challenging them to compete for the $1 million fund for the 2013 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.  The Aspen Institute identified the 120 community colleges — 10 percent of all institutions — using a quantitative formula that assesses performance and improvement in four areas: graduation rates, degrees awarded, student retention rates, and equity in student outcomes.  These colleges will now compete for the prestigious honor following a year-long research process into how well their students learn, complete degrees, and get jobs with competitive wages after graduating. Prize winners will be announced in March 2013. Continue Reading

“You got accepted! But…can you go?” Eight Steps to Take When Financial Aid Isn’t Enough

Laura Gilbert, Ph.D.

High school students across the country are eagerly anticipating the arrival of college decision letters.  For most students, acceptance is only the first hurdle.  Money is the second and often bigger hurdle.  Receiving a healthy financial aid package (scholarship-heavy, loan-light) can feel like hitting the college-funding jackpot. Yet a weak financial aid package doesn’t have to be the end of the road.

If the college of your dreams says “yes” but their financial aid award says “no”, don’t give up!  Take a deep breath.  Sit down with paper, pencil, a calculator, your family and the college budget you and your family have in mind.  Bring a creative, flexible spirit to the table. Continue Reading

Institute Names Top US Community College

Highlighting the need to improve student learning and graduation rates in community colleges — leading to good jobs — the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program recently announced that Valencia College in Orlando, Florida, is the nation’s top community college and honored four “finalists with distinction” from an original pool of over 1,000.  The announcement follows a rigorous, yearlong effort by the institute to assemble and review an unprecedented collection of data on community colleges and the critical elements of student success: student learning, degree completion and transfer, equity and employment/earnings after college. Continue Reading