Overview of this Issue
Student Success Initiatives in Tight Budget Times
The Editor provides a synopsis of the articles in this winter edition and suggests that they reflect the events happening in the county today. There is a report from the current President of the 4C2S2A and a couple of articles included in the staff development section on key staff development activities. The edition closes with an end note challenging the colleges to do more to serve our students. I want to thank the CSSO organization, advocating for student success and access, for being the sponsor this month.
By Edward J. Shenk, Ed.D.
Sponsor
Building Bridges for Student Success
Current President of the California Community College Chief Student Services Administrators Association (4C2S2A), Mandy Davies, shares her thoughts on the efforts of the Association to maintain a student services perspective at the forefront of challenging system-wide policy and programmatic discussions. Additionally, she provides an overview of improvements and activities sponsored by the Association to date.
By Mandy Davies
Student Success Initiatives
What Are Basic Skills? or, Where Does Student Success Begin?
A perspective on education attainment that ultimately questions and furthers the debate on what content knowledge is being taught, how it is being taught, why it is being taught, and how learning is assessed.
By Irving Leung, Ed.D.
The Evolving Complexities of Community College Students and Debt Management
As the cost of higher education continues to rise, community college students are faced with financial issues that can become barriers to both completion of the two-year degree and to the ability to transfer to a four-year institution. College costs are at record levels and, at the same time, financial aid availability has not kept pace with escalating expenses.
By Bonita C. Jacobs, Ph.D.
How Student-Centered Are Your Services? Lessons from a Look into Financial Aid
Recent research from the Institute for College Access and Success has shown ways in which variance in institutional financial aid policy and practice can affect access to aid, and identified practical ways in which access can be improved. Collaborative efforts between financial aid and other student services can contribute to a more supportive college environment, ensuring that students understand how to utilize the programs designed to help them succeed.
By Deborah Frankle Cochrane
Higher Education's Critical Role in the GI Bill
In war time one of the critical issue that rises to the top of our agendas is the reestablishment of veteran services and addressing the issue that America's historic GI Bill, which that once paid full college tuition at most pubic and private four-year universities, now only covers a small portion of the costs. In this article, the author explores the rise of veterans attending colleges and universities and reviews the pressures on the Federal Government to update and improve the GI Bill. The author concludes with several recommendations.
By Victoria Estrella Worch
The Importance of Mentoring African American Women Doctoral Students
A fundamental difference between mentoring and advising is more than advising; mentoring is a personal as well as, professional relationship. Eric Parsloe of the Oxford School of Coaching & Mentoring states that "Mentoring is to support and encourage people to manage their own learning in order that they may maximize their potential, develop their skills, improve their performance and become the person they want to be." This article will examine the historical framework of mentoring within higher education, the importance of mentoring African American Women doctoral students, and provide recommendations for institutions attempting to improve the graduation rates of African American Women.
By Michele D. Smith, Ph.D. and Tyjaun A. Lee, Ph.D.
Staff Development
CSSO/CIO Leadership Institute: Student Success through Leadership Development
The critical void in senior leadership in the California Community Colleges continues to be a central concern. For those "rising stars" considering a senior leadership positions in student services and/or instruction in the future, they may want to consider participating in annual CSSO/CIO Leadership Institute. The Institute is offered in the fall and is designed to nurture participants for career advancement into senior administrative positions. The format for the institute engages participants in group work, panel discussions, case studies, and more. Senior community college leaders co-facilitate the institute sessions in a format based on the Great Teacher seminars.
By Bob Bell, Ed.D.
The Turning Point: African American Male Summit: A Critical Examination of Institutional Barriers in Community Colleges
On March 19th, 2008, Coastline Community College and the non-profit organization African American Male Education Network and Development (A2MEND) will co-sponsor the first annual African American Male Summit. The focus of this conference will be: A Critical Examination of Institutional Barriers in Community Colleges. The conference aims to engage students, faculty, administrators, and student services personnel in addressing the many significant issues and obstacles facing African American males in higher education today. The author details the background for this conference in "The Turning Point."
By Mark Robinson, Ph.D.
Staff Development Calendar
This calendar provides an overview of key conferences and workshops of interest to community college professionals. Key conference highlights are attached to the CIO/CSSO Conference and the NASPA Conference.
End Note
Don't Laugh at Me: I am Just Dreaming of Student Success
Ninety percent (90%) of students can succeed if higher education professionals would understand their "parents" are the biggest reason students stay..not special applications, marketing programs or other external fixes. When college students are called KIDS, they perceive little respect and view such terms as demeaning. This article points to what is at the heart of student success, which is missing on most college campuses.
By John T. Baker, Ed.D.
Table of Contents