WACAC 2014So How Does a Community College Work and Why Would I Recommend One?

Presented by Region 9 Transfer Directors/Coordinators/CounselorsGregg Chesterman, Transfer Center Coordinator, CMC

Who is Region 9?

Region 9 is made up of the following community colleges◦ Barstow◦ Cerro Coso◦ Chaffey◦ Copper Mountain◦ Crafton Hills◦ College of the Desert◦ Moreno Valley◦ Mt. San Jacinto◦ Norco◦ Palo Verde◦ Riverside◦ San Bernardino ◦ Victor Valley

It also includes the following universities:

CSU San Bernardino University of Redlands National University UC Riverside University of La Verne Arizona State

University Azusa Pacific University

What is the CCC Mission?The California Community Colleges is the largest

system of higher education in the nation, with 2.4 million students attending 112 colleges. Our colleges provide students with the knowledge and background necessary to compete in today’s economy. With a wide range of educational offerings, the colleges provide workforce training, basic courses in English and math, certificate and degree programs and preparation for transfer to four-year institutions.

Open access to educational opportunities is typically part of the individual community college mission statement.

http://www.cccco.edu/

What is the CCC Mission?

Vocational/Occupational Training (certificate & degree) including RN, HVAC, Auto Technology, etc.

https://misweb.cccco.edu/webproginv/prod/toptitlelist_n.cfm

CCC students are students who want:◦ To improve basic English and math skills including

GED, high school completion, and ESL (not covered in this presentation)

• Transfer to a 4-year institution and complete a bachelor’s degree or higher.

www.assist.org

What is the CCC Mission? The student body is made up of students

who:◦ Have completed A-G requirements◦ Have not completed A-G requirements◦ Have very high GPAs from high school◦ Have very low GPAs from high school◦ Graduated high school◦ Did not graduate high school◦ Under 18 years of age◦ Over 50 years of age◦ Are ESL students & AB540 students◦ Active duty/veterans◦ Are single parents employed full time ◦ Are disabled◦ Are in drug rehab centers◦ Are incarcerated ◦ Are homeless

What is the CCC Mission? The CCC student population is

made up of these groups All groups impact the Student

Success Scorecard ◦ http://

scorecard.cccco.edu/scorecard.aspx

All CCCs have a different ratio of students in these categories◦ http://datamart.cccco.edu/

CCC statistics should not be compared to other institutions due to the difference in mission and student population (apples to oranges)

Other subgroups to consider◦ Reentry students◦ Older new students◦ AB 540 students◦ Students dismissed (or on probation)

from 4-year institutions

What is the CCC Mission?

Percentage of Full-Time Students Who Are 19 or Younger◦http://datamart.cccco.edu/

College Fall 2012 Spring 2013CMC (3,104) 10.9% 8.1%COD (12,816) 12% 10.5%RCC (25,034) 9.2% 8.5%Chaffey (23,559) 11% 9.9%MSJC (19,894) 9.9% 9.5%SBCC (15,441) 12.9% 11.5%Crafton Hills (6,861) 16.5% 15.2%

What are the Entrance Requirements?

18 years old or no longer enrolled in a high school program

Yes, CCCs take all students who want to go to college that meet this requirement

This gives open access to education for anyone that wants it

What is the Application Process? Fill out the New Student Application (free)

◦ Go to the college’s web site and there will be a link to the application

Complete the required assessment test at that college (Accuplacer, Compass, etc. Common assessment coming in the next year?).

◦ SAT/ACT scores are not used for placement ◦ Prep tools for the Accuplacer

www.accuplacer-test.com www.testpreppractice.net/ACCUPLACER The Official ACCUPLACER Study App for iPhone. Study for the

assessment test from your iPhone! Buy & download at iTunes.com

Attend the New Student Orientation Get the Initial 2 semester Student Education Plan

(usually incorporated in the orientation. Some colleges may require the full comprehensive Student Education Plan.)

Register for classes

What’s the Class Availability?Classes at CCCs in urban areas fill up quickly

and students may find it difficult to get the classes they need (new registration priorities with SSSP)

Classes at CCCs in rural areas fill up slowly so students normally can get the classes they need

Colleges normally maintain wait lists for full classes so students may get on a wait list and then get into a full class – just before or just after classes begin

Students in urban areas may attend several community colleges at the same time in order to get all the classes they need (no permission needed & they can get financial aid for all of their classes – speak with the Fin. Aid Office)

Why Would I Recommend a CCC?

Students choose a college based on the following 4 criteria◦ Cost – $46 per unit

Average student loan debt for a 4-year degree was $29,400 (2012-2013)

http://money.cnn.com/2013/12/04/pf/college/student-loan-debt/

◦ Location – close to home do not have to move or pay for room and board elsewhere. Support system, friends, familiar surroundings are still in place

◦ Reputation – all colleges are WASC accredited so classes will transfer anywhere The general education patterns (IGETC & CSU) are accepted at many

private and out-of-state institutions Many CCCs are feeder schools for prestigious 4-year institutions that

many high school seniors would not be admitted Some students are looking for a Vocational Program.

◦ Accessibility – your student will be accepted at the community college Accessibility to the 4-year: It’s easier to get into a university as a

transfer student

How Do Students TransferMariana Moreno,

◦Transfer Center Coordinator, ◦Crafton Hills College

Khanh Hoang, ◦Transfer Center Coordinator, ◦College of the Desert

How Successful are Transfer Students at 4-year Institutions?

David Sandlin, National University  Christine Degano, CSUSB  Anita Oshaben, University of Redlands 

Students Transferring to a 4 year University Tend to: Have done research on the school (or schools) they wish

to transfer to and tend to understand the transfer process and are cognizant of admission requirements and deadlines

Have utilized tools such as Assist.org or articulation agreements between both public and most private universities

Have used the services and guidance provided by Community College counselors

Have taken advantage of resources offered by Transfer Centers

4-year options for transfer studentsUC’s and Cal State UniversitiesPrivate universities (non profit)Private universities (for profit)

California Community College Chancellor’s Office Current Trends in Transfer Research

Patrick Perry, Vice Chancellor of Technology, Research and Information Systems

Research conducted 2013 for the Partnering for Success III Moving Education Forward CSCCU March 19th 2013 Conference.

Research conducted from Datamart◦http://datamart.cccco.edu/

Additional Information/Resource Links:

• datamart.cccco.edu• www.cccco.edu• www.calstate.edu• www.universityofcalifornia.edu• www.chea.org (Council for

Higher Education Accreditation)• Individual college/university

websites

Successful TransferStudents should conduct the research and work

with their Community College counselors to be better prepared for transfer.

Once the foundation at a Community College has been set, there is more of a successful career path at a 4 year university.

There is a stronger commitment to ensure that transfer students successfully meet their academic goals.

Research has proven that students who have transferred from a Community College to a 4 year university have a high success rate of transfer and degree completion. ◦ Reference: http://datamart.cccco.edu/