Historical Perspectives, Philosophies, and Missions

• Examine the history of community colleges
• Describe the historical and current functions of community colleges
• Explore the general mission of community colleges

Governance and Organizational Structure

• Compare community college governance models
• Explore national and local governance issues
• Investigate community college organizational structures and their effects
• Examine the purpose of accreditation
• Investigate measurements of accountability

Funding and Finances

• Identify sources of community college funding
• Analyze the relationship among funding, services, course and program offerings, and local and national economic issues

Student Populations and Student Services

• Describe community college student populations
• Explore admission, enrollment, and registration policies
• Examine services offered to community college students
• Evaluate essential and non-essential services
• Explore retention issues
• Examine the role of articulation and its relationship to community college students

Curriculum

• Explore community college curricula
• Examine curriculum development processes
• Identify types of degrees and certificates awarded by community colleges

Instruction

• Examine instructional methodologies and delivery modalities
• Explore developmental education and its role in student success
• Describe services that support student learning
• Identify methods and challenges of assessment

Roles and Challenges for Faculty

• Identify faculty roles
• Analyze faculty challenges and their effects on the institutional environment
• Examine faculty qualification and certification processes
• Explore the role and challenges of technology in the educational environment

The Future of Community Colleges

• Describe research in and about community colleges
• Analyze trends and challenges related to the community college
• Investigate how community colleges respond to local social, political, and economic influences