Obama Pushing Community College System to Partner with Corporations? What does this mean for Diversity

As a product of a community college system, I worry about the direction of community colleges on a national scale. Community Colleges are predominantly populated by students that traditionally come from underrepresented background and are most likely the most underrepresented in higher education. Contrast to a previous article pertaining to revamping the California Community College system in order to ensure students are transferring, this article otherwise suggest Community Colleges are institutions that will solely focus on educating the workforce.

This article sheds light on a topic I strongly believe is understudied, the diminishing of a 2-year transfer institution. The article stated "the administration prominently called on community colleges and businesses to collaborate more during the White House Summit on Community Colleges back in 2010. Its newest proposal is the Community College to Career Fund, which would provide $8-billion to two-year colleges and states to work with companies to train an estimated two million workers in high-growth industries" Rather than focus on how to help students transfer into four-year institutions, the goal is to funnel them into the workforce by utilizing collaborative efforts between community colleges and businesses to meet the workforce needs.

I understand there is a need to decrease or eliminate the unemployment rate, however I do not think the focus should be entirely on producing the workforce. Students should still have the opportunity to learn about transferring to four-year institutions and holding more than a 2-year degree or technical certificate. With little focus on helping students transfer, I am afraid the perception of teachers, counselors and administrators will also follow suit. Meaning counselors would probably be more inclined to tell students about technical programs rather than bachelor degree programs. IF this is the case, what does this mean for the student population in community colleges that are predominantly low-income, underrepresented students? More importantly, what does this mean for curriculum offered at community college? Will transfer courses slowly but surely leave the picture?

I am starting to believe it is almost imperative to tell students to attend a four-year institution rather than attend a community college first. It is only those that have the social capital to understand and know of additional educational opportunities that could have a chance to do more than a 2-year degree. It will be interesting to see how things play out overtime. Businesses have very much entered in k-12 with the support of the Obama administration. It only seems the trend will continue to community colleges as well. Thus I am hesitant with Obama Push for Community Colleges to Partner with Businesses in this day and age.

http://chronicle.com/article/Tour-Highlights-Obamas-Push/130887/