I've enjoyed reading your substack. However, today, sadly, I got to a sentence in this piece, and had that awful feeling I've had way too often in my 28 year-career, that what we do is not respected or recognized for the amazing rigorous opportunities we provide in our nation's community colleges for people from all walks of life. (I've had students ranging from high school aged to post-doctorate in my community college classes). Please reconsider thinking of community college as "not college". Perhaps the word you meant to use was "university" in this sentence from this piece: "Some folks might not go straight to college. Community college might be involved." And, while I'm here, if you haven't already done so, I encourage you and your readers to read this report from NASEM entitled "Transforming Undergraduate STEM Education": https://nap.nationalacademies.org/resource/28268/interactive/. Our report includes a lot of great information about diverse types of institutions of higher ed, and of the journeys students pursue through them. Another great source of information in the form of a podcast, is "Spotlight on Community Colleges" available on Spotify, Apple, and other sources.
Oh my gosh, I understand why that is upsetting to read, because I really screwed this one up. I am sorry. I have no excuse for this. It was not what I had intended to say whatsoever, and I've made a revision to that section to make my words line up more with my thoughts. To be clear, community colleges rock and since the majority of the students I work with at CSU Dominguez Hills come from community colleges, and I see how these places have served them so well, I would never want to imply anything negative there. I appreciate you brought this to my attention. (I see this as a by-product of quick writing and sloppy last-moment editing, which for me is the tradeoff I experience in trying to do this on a regular basis. Again, not an excuse, just explaining how it happened. I'll come up with a post on community colleges in penance, how does that sound?)
Thank you so much for your quick reply! I appreciate your explanation, and your additional positive comments about the students who transfer to your institution. There is no need to “do penance” but I would love to read a piece you will write about community colleges. Perhaps I’ll write one too. I have many stories to tell especially from my time striving to develop and nurture Biotechnology programs in different states. We had so much to offer, and we had to be loud to be heard. It always amazes me that community colleges touch so many lives, yet unflattering perspectives persist, especially in popular media. (Old sit coms are the worst!) The more we can do to shine a light on the value of our diverse colleges and their programs, the better off we will be. Again, I truly appreciate your reply, and your reflections about education. Happy writing!
I've enjoyed reading your substack. However, today, sadly, I got to a sentence in this piece, and had that awful feeling I've had way too often in my 28 year-career, that what we do is not respected or recognized for the amazing rigorous opportunities we provide in our nation's community colleges for people from all walks of life. (I've had students ranging from high school aged to post-doctorate in my community college classes). Please reconsider thinking of community college as "not college". Perhaps the word you meant to use was "university" in this sentence from this piece: "Some folks might not go straight to college. Community college might be involved." And, while I'm here, if you haven't already done so, I encourage you and your readers to read this report from NASEM entitled "Transforming Undergraduate STEM Education": https://nap.nationalacademies.org/resource/28268/interactive/. Our report includes a lot of great information about diverse types of institutions of higher ed, and of the journeys students pursue through them. Another great source of information in the form of a podcast, is "Spotlight on Community Colleges" available on Spotify, Apple, and other sources.
Oh my gosh, I understand why that is upsetting to read, because I really screwed this one up. I am sorry. I have no excuse for this. It was not what I had intended to say whatsoever, and I've made a revision to that section to make my words line up more with my thoughts. To be clear, community colleges rock and since the majority of the students I work with at CSU Dominguez Hills come from community colleges, and I see how these places have served them so well, I would never want to imply anything negative there. I appreciate you brought this to my attention. (I see this as a by-product of quick writing and sloppy last-moment editing, which for me is the tradeoff I experience in trying to do this on a regular basis. Again, not an excuse, just explaining how it happened. I'll come up with a post on community colleges in penance, how does that sound?)
Thank you so much for your quick reply! I appreciate your explanation, and your additional positive comments about the students who transfer to your institution. There is no need to “do penance” but I would love to read a piece you will write about community colleges. Perhaps I’ll write one too. I have many stories to tell especially from my time striving to develop and nurture Biotechnology programs in different states. We had so much to offer, and we had to be loud to be heard. It always amazes me that community colleges touch so many lives, yet unflattering perspectives persist, especially in popular media. (Old sit coms are the worst!) The more we can do to shine a light on the value of our diverse colleges and their programs, the better off we will be. Again, I truly appreciate your reply, and your reflections about education. Happy writing!