Colleges prepare for 'Plus 50' projects
By MATTHEW DEMBICKI, Published July 6, 2008

Community colleges participating in a new national initiative to build or expand programs to serve baby boomers met for the first time with their mentor institutions and other advisors last week to begin implementing their plans.

Many two-year colleges are preparing to better serve the flood of baby boomers expected to come to their institutions, enrolling in programs ranging from preparing for second careers to personal fulfillment courses. The Plus 50 Initiative—with seed grants from the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and The Atlantic Philanthropies—pairs 10 demonstration colleges with five mentor colleges that already have established programs to serve learners over age 50.

“This population is going to continue to shape American society,” AACC President George Boggs said during last week’s meeting. “They want to remain active and engaged. It will be an important population for our colleges.”

It may also mean a new revenue stream for community colleges, Boggs told leaders of the selected colleges. Attracting baby boomers to two-year colleges may require that colleges be more flexible in all aspects of their business, he said. Colleges may have to shorten or consolidate classes, provide credit for prior work experience and change student services.

The initiative’s advisory committee, which includes leaders from community colleges and other nonprofit organizations that focus on older learners, gave the demonstration colleges tips on ensuring projects persist after the seed funding ends. For example, committee members said it’s critical to tap foundations for not only financial support but also for advice on fund-raising efforts and other ideas.

Local chambers of commerce are another resource that could provide funds directly as well support to help secure other funding. Karen Elzey, vice president of the Institute for a Competitive Workforce at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and an advisory committee member, said it’s crucial to approach local chambers and individual businesses from the onset of a program.

“The earlier you get them engaged, the better,” she told college representatives. That way, businesses feel like they are part of the process and can have input rather than being approached only for money or to perform specific tasks, she said.

The colleges also had an opportunity to talk about their proposed projects under the initiative. They ranged holding monthly workshops to help Medicare recipients navigate the federal program to developing entrepreneurship programs.