For the final assignment in this course, I chose to write my paper on what life looks like on community college and 4 year university’s campuses from both a faculty and student’s perspective. This is something I find exceptionally interesting as I have been able to have the student perspective about both institutions, and am looking to pursue a career within the community college system.
In doing my research on the topic, I was surprised to find that many community colleges are now offering an on-campus housing option to further enhance their student’s experience. Living on-campus helped me in falling in love with my undergraduate institution, and I think it’s awesome to see this trend continuing into the community college realm.
It was exceptionally interesting to see the ways in which a faculty member’s experience varies from place to place. Community colleges have the luxury of smaller class sizes, more interaction with students, and a teaching focused experience. Whereas, when looking at a four-year institution this is something that you could seek out and choose for yourself or your focus can be on research. I liked the level of customization that was available at four-year schools in that you could choose between a teaching or a research focused institution.
Personally, I would not be interested in working at a research-based institution as that is not where my passions lie but it is great to know that that option is available for perspective faculty members who do feel passionatly about research.
I’m really curious to see what community college enrollment numbers are for the Fall 2020 semester with many schools around the country potentially continuing online instruction in response to the Coronavirus. Will rising freshman pay 4-year rates, or will they attend a community college in the meantime. Only time will tell!
Great contemplation between the 2 and 4 year experience. I was not aware of community colleges offering housing but I am excited about the experience. To add to your discussion, I like how community colleges allow high school students to dual enroll and earn college credits as they finish high school. If you attend a 4 year insitution in the same state as your dual enrollment, you immediately transfer all credits to the institution of your choice. So you can enter as a junior while being a first year student. As you, I do not wish to be employed by a R1 institution. I prefer to connect with students and provide lectures. I speak with great professors who are forced to sacrifice lecture classes for research and they do it because they have to in order to gain tenure.