TRANSITION PROGRAMS Using '2+2' to tackle teacher shortages By Garry Boulard Reflecting a growing state population and a public school enrollment that is expected to increase by some 42 percent over the next decade, Mesa Community College (MCC) in Arizona has seen the number of students enrolled in its elementary education partnership program more than double from 24 students last year to more than 50 today.

SOCIAL MEDIA
Using social media to amplify communication
By Carisa Chappell
There’s a lot more socializing taking place on campuses lately, and it’s not always face to face. Social media are changing the way community colleges communicate with students, staff and the public.

Social media find niche in the classroom
By Carisa Chappell
Social media are not all about marketing. Community colleges are increasingly using Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and other social media tools in the classroom. 

WORKING WITH TRUSTEES
Communication, trust essential to good trustee-president relationship
By Carisa Chappell
“It’s complicated” is a common phrase that some use to describe a key relationship. The phrase certainly is apt to describe the sometimes tumultuous relationships between community college presidents and trustees.

College leaders feel the impact of rogue trustees
BY Terry O'Banion
The overwhelming majority of the 6,500 trustees who serve the nation's community colleges are exceptional community leaders, elected and appointed to champion the community college mission and the students they represent. Occasionally, a trustee pursues a path other than serving for the greater good, which can create enormous problems.

ACHIEVING THE DREAM
Achieving the Dream prepares to become nonprofit
By Carisa Chappell
After five years of making strong inroads into using data to help low-income students and students of color succeed in college, the national Achieving the Dream initiative is shifting gears and implementing new strategies in 2010 to become an independent organization.

Q and A with William Trueheart
The new president and CEO of Achieving the Dream talks with Community College Times about the initiative and his plans.

Read the Achieving the Dream Data Notes newsletter, which provides data analysis on the initiative. 

Watch the Achieving the Dream promotional video.

THE FOUR-YEAR DEGREE
Baccalaureate community colleges help fill unmet needs
By Garry Boulard
Nearly four years after the Washington state legislature passed a law allowing the state’s community college system to offer baccalaureate programs, Bellevue College has more than 60 students enrolled in two separate bachelor’s degree programs and has already seen its first graduating class.

Q and A with Beth Hagan
By CC Times
Beth Hagan, executive director of the Baccalaureate Community College Association, chats with Community College Times.

University centers help bridge institutions
By Melanie Brisbon
Community colleges are increasingly serving students who plan to pursue at least a baccalaureate. To better prepare these students, a growing number of two-year colleges are establishing university centers, which help to ease students’ transition to four-year colleges and universities and craft more seamless articulation agreements between higher education institutions.

Fla. college welcomes its first baccalaureate students
By CC Times
Seminole State College of Florida (Seminole State) last week launched its first four-year degree program with more than 40 students enrolling in the interior design program.

STIMULUS IN ACTION
Colleges use stimulus funds in different ways
By Carisa Chappell
As the spring semester begins, states and students bring in the New Year by benefiting from the federal stimulus grants awarded to community colleges.

TEAMING WITH ENERGY
Energy Institute caters to local industries
By Garry Boulard
In the heart of the nation’s thriving oil and gas industry, where more than 5,000 energy-related firms do business, students at Houston Community College (HCC) in Texas are learning daily how to become a part of a business greatly in need of younger workers.

STUDENT SERVICES
Enrollments, new needs stretch student services
By Carisa Chappell
As the needs of community college students become more complex, student services have become vital in assisting them to improve academically, professionally and personally. 

The added value of mentoring programs
By Carisa Chappell
With all of the stresses associated wtih starting college, a little on-on-one interaction and encouragement can go a long way in helping students meet their goals. Mentor programs are designed to enhance student success and make new students feel more connected to their institution.

RAPID TECHNOLOGY 
Using 'rapid tech' for a competitive edge
By Carisa Chappell
Developing a product efficiently and quickly is essential to business success. The National Center for Rapid Technologies at Saddleback College (California) focuses on drafting processes to speed up new product development. 

Institutions partner to promote rapid tech
By Carisa Chappell
To help fulfill its mandate for funding through the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Center for Rapid Technologies at Saddleback College (California) has developed strong partnerships with several institutions across the country.