Academic and public libraries are facing the challenge of finding new avenues of service and of creating value for their constituencies. This value is in the form of outcomes that result in bettering the people who use libraries and the community at large. The authors feel that librarians must find creative ways to make their communities better…

Given that a community is defined by the common interests of a group of people and that community development involves the joint efforts of these people in addressing shared problems, the most important component of the community development process is instruction in the skills needed for effective political and social involvement. Yet society…

This document focuses on the role of community college presidents in the varied activities entailed by economic development. Specifically, the paper addresses those activities that involve the political, financial, and economic aspects of regional or county planning, marketing and financing. First, definitions are provided of two types of economic…

The American system of higher education consists of public and private institutions, of which there are three segments: universities, four-year institutions, and two-year colleges. Further, there are three types of two-year colleges: comprehensive community colleges, offering a broad array of programs and services; junior colleges, focusing on…

Community service programs of rural community colleges can assist in rural development. Currently some programs focus on educational service to individuals or groups, while others are more direct community development projects. The following trends are indicative of the emergence of the human resources development role in the community college:…

On October 22, 1998, Los Angeles City College's 70th anniversary, Dr. Mary Spangler was inaugurated as the 12th president of the college. In this, her message to faculty, staff, and family attending the event, Spangler revisits the college's past, citing historical highlights from each decade. She also focuses on the present state of the college,…

In response to economic hardships affecting agriculture, small business, and manufacturing in Iowa, the Eastern Iowa Community College District (EICCD) initiated an economic development strategy aimed at the expansion of the employment base, diversification, assistance to existing businesses to increase their markets, and entrepreneurship. Spurred…

Community colleges, because of their strategic placement within the community, are particularly well-suited to becoming catalysts in the problem-solving process of the community by performing the research which underlies community development. Social science faculty, given their methodological training, community orientation, and teaching focus,…

Increased migration to rural communities by urbanites has focused greater attention on the role of the rural community college as the focal point of community activity and the major source of significant leadership and direction in community development efforts. Through its community service programs, the community college can contribute to…

The Arcadia Commons (AC), in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is a business-education park developed through the combined efforts of Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC), area business and financial institutions, and the Kalamazoo Public Museum, who together formed Downtown Kalamazoo Incorporated (DKI). KVCC's involvement resulted from the need to find…

The search for a mission for the community college of the 1980's must begin with an examination of what the institution is. The community college has proven itself to be adaptable, in that it has, since its inception, changed in response to new conditions and demands. It operates with a continuing awareness of the community it serves. It has a…

Rural community colleges are faced with issues similar to their urban counterparts, but many challenges for rural schools are further exacerbated by limited resources, geographic isolation, and a static economy. This paper argues that the difference between success and failure can be the ability to create strong partnerships. Of the 15 colleges in…

Florence-Darlington Technical College (FDTC) in Florence, South Carolina, has implemented the Academy for Community College Leadership Advancement, Innovation, and Modeling (ACCLAIM) community-based programming (C-BP) model for developing a regional economic development strategic plan. FDTC offers 27 associate degrees, 10 diplomas, and 9…

In order to maximize its resources to fulfill its action-oriented mission and strong commitment to community and economic development, El Paso Community College (EPCC) developed a Business and Industry Center as a rapid response system for meeting the needs of the business and industry community. The Business and Industry Center offers a…

In an era with corporate layoffs, budget freezes, and plant closings, Lake Michigan College (LMC) is providing job training services in the economic revitalization of Southwest Michigan. The college's Corporate and Community Development Division, in cooperation with the Berrien County Economic Development Commission and the Cornerstone Alliance,…