The economic upheaval of the stock market coupled with lay-offs and cut backs created chaos in the financial world that affected most Americans in some way. The endless public scandals, within corporate America, the Catholic Church, and public entities throughout the U.S. left many of us disillusioned and angry. Under these circumstances, it is easy to feel overwhelmed, like there are no solutions and that what we do does not matter. During these times people tend to hunker down and revisit traditional values.

One of the traditional values of the United States is that of public education and, in this, the California Community College System is a shining star. In the words of Albert Camus, “Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better.” And, a chance to be better is what community colleges are all about; a chance to go to college because of open enrollment and affordability, a chance to follow one’s own dreams by selecting and pursuing one’s own goals, a chance to learn new skills and improve old ones, and a chance for life-long learning. Our communities are richer by the presence of a community college with their performing arts, seminars and workshops, special events, summer youth programs, and emeritus programs. This is part of the American Dream.

Those of us who work in this system show our commitment to the dream of education for all by going “above and beyond” for our students. We instruct them, nurture them, and counsel them. We even hold their hands. We know that the campus environment is the learning environment and that this environment must be maintained with special care. Paramount to this care is the way in which we treat our students.

This issue focuses on Beyond Customer Service. Many of the articles demonstrate commitment to student success through specific and strategic actions and programs. Dr. Robert Griffin, for example, believes that being Student Centered in the decision-making process may lead to a different outcome, one in which successes can be measured. At Santa Rosa College, they know that well trained student employees contribute to an environment that is welcoming and supportive of students. The One-Stop Center at Skyline College provides easy access to services that are integrated physically and technologically. The Coast Navigators Program helps to orient visitors and students to the campus – and to college in general – through a well-orchestrated tour. Interestingly, Willard Hom points out that there is a difference between student expectations and student satisfaction. What these articles have in common is the commitment on campuses to go beyond customer service to help our students achieve their goals. And I ask, “When students leave our system, are they better?”

When we feel overwhelmed by the events of the time, let us employ the Chinese proverb, “Every journey begins with a single step,” and remember that what we do on a daily basis does, in fact, make a difference. Let us go Beyond Customer Service for our students and give them a chance to be better. Let Freedom Ring.