It’s been a while since I’ve written here, and it has been several months since I was elected to serve as a Trustee for the Johnson County Community College (Kansas). Serving as a trustee on a community college is important to me, and the existence of community colleges like ours makes a difference in our county. What I’m writing today isn’t a position of our board, or the position of our college. As someone who cares about our community college, and a resident, as well as a graduate of a community college, it is the opinion of someone who cares greatly about our community colleges.
Community colleges provide the entire community with opportunities. Vocational and technical training, continued education, and transitional learning to prepare students for a university experience. The college also provides paths into unique programs that make for a better county.
Older members of our community come back for educational opportunity to continuously learn. High school students look into advanced programs to get ready for college. A community college for many students represents the first step toward success.
It was my first step. I was a high school student who struggled, and found my academic path starting with a community college.
That’s why President Trump’s statement last night regarding community colleges concerns me.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2018/03/29/trump-ohio-don-know-what-that-means-community-college/xfQoiVo09HwydakyUD5ycN/story.html
As is typical for Trump, the president appeared at several times to veer off his prepared remarks on infrastructure policy to interject with comments perhaps designed to appeal to his audience.
‘‘I don’t know what that means, a community college,’’ Trump said at one point. ‘‘Call it vocational and technical. People know what that means. They don’t know what a community college means.’’
As President, Trump has a powerful opportunity to help educate and inform, highlighting the good that community colleges do around the country. It would have cost him nothing – a few words about opportunity that awaits millions of kids all over the country.
Instead, the President chose to dismiss community colleges by suggesting the problem that faces community colleges is that we should rename what they are, as though the problems faced by community colleges can be solved by marketing.
In truth, community colleges face a great number of challenges going forward. Community colleges are home to more DACA recipients than most universities by percentage. Community colleges are growing fast due to the cost of universities. Community colleges are working to transition programs to reflect the needs of the workplace and the communities they represent.
One of the greatest challenges faced by community colleges, highlighted in multiple seminars by groups like ACCT, is that a growing number of conservatives don’t believe in higher education or have a scornful view of continued state and local funding for community colleges.
This means that community colleges have become targets for conservatives looking to defund them and lower the quality of programs.
Community colleges present an opportunity for everyone who wants a shot at a better income or opportunities for their children. Community colleges are attended by young kids who need a start and single mothers looking to get back into the work force.
Mr. President, take it from a Trustee: our community embraces our community college. Interest in our programs and attendance continues to grow, and more community members need opportunity. A community college is more than a vocational school or a trade school. A community college is a pathway to success, with studies in numerous areas, designed to improve the lives of community members.
I may be a single Trustee, speaking only for myself, but I know the power of a community college to give Americans opportunity. Millions of Americans are graduates of community colleges. Do not demean us. And do not demean the impact that a community college has on the life of Americans – including your voters.