Community College 101
May 29, 3:15–4:15 pm
About 40% of college students in the U.S. attend community college, institutions that enroll a large number of historically underrepresented students. But these schools are not often covered as much as other colleges. Here’s a how-to guide on diving into the intricacies of community colleges. How are they funded? Who is really going to community college? How can you access first-generation students, student parents and other learners who fall under the “new majority”? Independent journalist Miranda Dunlap will moderate the discussion.
Presenters
- Thomas Brock, Director, Community College Research Center
- Katie Glass, Chief Communications Officer, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
- Ivan Hernandez, President, Student Senate for California Community Colleges
Postsecondary Pathways Part 2: Quantity Versus Quality: Investigating Dual Enrollment’s Growth
May 30, 9:15–10:15 am
Dual enrollment has grown rapidly in recent years. As more students take these courses, reporters must take a closer look at these programs to assess their quality and benefits. This session covers the goals of dual enrollment and how it differs from other college-level opportunities in high school, such as Advanced Placement classes. It also explores challenges with transferring credits and making these courses accessible to underrepresented student groups. Megan Menchaca of The Houston Chronicle will moderate the discussion.
Presenters
- Maria Bucio, Director of Postsecondary Pathways, Chicago Public Schools
- John Fink, Senior Research Associate and Program Lead, Community College Research Center
- Alex Perry, College in High School Alliance