CD of Audio Online Seminar • Originally Broadcast November 30, 2007 • $189
75-minute recording of live online seminar available in CD or transcript format. Includes program handouts

At the same time American community colleges are coming under increasing scrutiny from the public, they’re hearing confusing and often contradictory messages about what they should be and who they should serve. Should they recruit international students? Focus on vocational training? Offer four-year degrees? And who and what sort of practices should lead them?

This is an opportunity to ask some tough questions about the future of American community colleges and be prepared to discuss the answers. This seminar will jump-start a positive conversation about revitalizing the community college mission.

The questions we will consider include:
  1. Should community colleges that wish to offer bachelor’s degree programs “morph,” by charter and purpose, into four-year institutions?
  2. Should full time master’s level faculty be required to pursue university-level study in their curriculum area of subject matter expertise?
  3. Should community colleges actively recruit international students?
  4. Should community colleges establish a physical facilities presence in other countries?
  5. Should community colleges offer university transfer academic coursework?
  6. Should community colleges make vocational training their primary focus?
  7. Should community colleges conduct national searches for faculty and administrative positions?
  8. Has technology expanded the community college mission?
  9. Should community colleges make online learning their primary focus for instructional programs?
10. Do corporate management practices improve learning at community colleges?

Knowledge benefits for you:
• Have a “safe space” to consider some very tough issues
• Learn how to improve your college’s image in the local community
• Get ideas on how to improve your institution’s quality of instruction
• Be part of the dialogue that helps to develop a new conceptual framework for community colleges
• Be better prepared to speak with your colleagues and the public on key community college issues
• Have the chance to take a more objective look at community college culture and learn to improve that culture
• Get the opportunity ask questions of the presenters and air your own opinions

Who can benefit from hearing this seminar:
• Community college presidents, chancellors, and trustee members
• Vice-presidents
• Academic administrators
• Aspiring community college leaders
• Community leaders from political entities supporting community colleges
• Secondary school guidance counselors
• Graduate students and faculty involved with Education Leadership Doctorate programs

Listen to a preview

This seminar is the beginning of a year-long series of Magna Online Seminars focusing on issues of importance to community colleges. For more information about this series, check our Community College Leader Professional Development Series website. You'll receive discounted rates when you register for or purchase two or more programs in the series together.

Featured Presenters:

Dr. Jann M. Contento has been an institutional researcher in at Estrella Mountain Community College’s Office of Planning and Institutional Effectiveness since 2002. He earned a baccalaureate degree in economics from Illinois Benedictine University and a master’s degree in Higher Education and a Ph.D. in Educational Research and Policy Studies from Arizona State University. He has a broad range of experiences in higher education student affairs administration, strategic planning, and policy formation within state and institutional settings.

Dr. John Paddison served as a professor of English at Central Arizona College for eleven years prior to his retirement in May. Altogether, he has been in postsecondary teaching, both part- and full-time, for more than 20 years. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of California at San Bernardino, a masters degree from Northern Arizona University, and a doctoral degree from The University of Arizona in the field of Rhetoric, Composition, and the Teaching of English. His research interests include literacy and technology, educational philosophy, and critical pedagogy.

Dr. Jeffrey Ross has served as a professor of English at Central Arizona College- Superstition Mountain Campus since 1985. Prior to that, he worked as director of special services at Central Arizona College from 1979-1985. He received an associate of arts degree from York College, a bachelor of arts degree from Doane College, a masters degree from the University of Nebraska, and a doctoral degree from Northern Arizona University in Curriculum and Instruction (Community College Composition Instruction). He also served as a book discussion leader for the Arizona Humanities Council for many years. He has recently written several articles on community college identity and purpose.

CD of Audio Online Seminar • Originally Broadcast November 30, 2007 • $189
75-minute recording of live online seminar available in CD or transcript format. Includes program handouts

The CD contains an audio presentation with PowerPoint and can be viewed on any standard computer equipped with Windows Media Player. Our CDs are not compatible with Macintosh computer systems.

Date(s): 11/30/07
Time: 12:00 PM Central Standard Time - See other time zones above.
Cost: $214.00
Phone: 800-433-0499
Email: custserv@magnapubs.com