It’s April, so you know what that means: Community College Month! This month, we celebrate that anyone from any walk of life can become a community college student. Community colleges are also lifelines to meet basic needs, land a better career and keep learning for life.
Did you know that this month had its origin in the Reagan administration in 1986? It’s true! The Proclamation reads as follows:
“The more than thirteen hundred community, technical, and junior colleges, public and private, in the United States have contributed enormously to the richness and availability of American higher education. Nearly half of all undergraduate college students in the Nation today are enrolled in such institutions.
“By providing educational opportunities at costs and locations accessible to all who are qualified, community, technical, and junior colleges have greatly enhanced the opportunity for every ambitious student, young or old, to enter a postsecondary school program.”
Proclamation 5418—National Community College Month, 1986
Community College Quiz!
Did you know…
- How many students enroll in community colleges every year?
- When did community colleges start?
- Most CC students come from four states. Can you name them?
- How much money can students save at community college?
Answer key at the end!
Our two-year colleges have the unique ability to transform lives, power the regional workforce and strengthen communities. So that’s why this month, we present you with some highlights from the social media conversation.
1. CC Students Speak Out!
When it comes to community colleges, it’s really all about the students. At BridgeValley, students are weighing in on why community college is the smart choice when it comes to higher ed.
What better way to celebrate Community College Month than with a successful alum profile?
After listening to the Everything Your College Needs to Know About TikTok podcast, we couldn’t help but branch out a little with a TikTok post. This grateful grad demonstrates the power of community colleges! “When you graduate from a community college with honors, a Phi Theta Kappa member, and a full-ride scholarship to a four-year university…” ???? Congrats! Phi Theta Kappa, @phithetakappa on TikTok
Community College Month Jokes…
2. Sayonara to Community College Stigmas
Some uneducated folks may think that community colleges don’t measure up. ???? But these savvy alums know the truth: community colleges open the door to remarkable opportunities you can’t find anywhere else!
For this community college grad, UC Berkeley wouldn’t have been possible right out of high school. But with a friendly boost from his local community college? That’s when his UC aspirations were set to soar. And those 500+ retweets? From a lot of people who had the same experience of saving money and going further at community college!
@hillrat1156 on Twitter, with props to Northampton Community College @NorthamptonComm
And what better way to celebrate community colleges than with alum who continue to give back? Thanks for putting the “community” into community colleges, Michael!
@Senatorcosta on Twitter, with props to CCAC Community College of Allegheny County @CCAC
High-profile professionals know that you can go far with a community college degree. So that’s why they’re not afraid to say it!
Break: Community College Month has Horse Sense
3. Community College Month Claim to Fame
From Truck Driver to Governor
For the Governor, community college was his ticket to higher ed and higher office. According to Cayetano’s bio,
“Married at 18, he became a father at 19 and worked as a service station attendant, laborer, truck driver, electrician apprentice and draftsman to support his family. He realized quickly that his lack of a college education was a major obstacle to better opportunities. In 1963, he moved with his wife and two children to Los Angeles to pursue a college degree. The long ten-hour flight to Los Angeles was the first time he had ever been off the island of Oahu or on an airplane.
“In Los Angeles, he found a job as a draftsman and prepared for college. His poor high school grades required a stint through Los Angeles Harbor College, where he worked hard to get his grades up before he was finally admitted to the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1966… He graduated from UCLA in 1968 and from Loyola University School of Law in 1971.”
Ben’s Bio
Community College Smiles
Community college alum and dental hygienist Kristina Hyatt is also the author of the children’s book, “Shelby Goes to the Dentist.” It helps children know what to expect during a dental appointment and encourages them to have good dental health! She’s also a regular volunteer for “Smile Drive,” where she helps collect oral health products to distribute to Native American children across the country.
Act Like a Community College Grad
Take it from the stars: community colleges are the places to start stage-worthy careers! Listen to Morgan Freeman about how he kick-started his acting career at a two-year:
A community college voice coach encouraged Freeman to articulate like an actor, giving the rising star his distinguished diction! According to Freeman, “In Los Angeles City College, I had a voice and diction instructor who was very good at his job. You had to learn to speak and sound your final consonants.” Freeman was 22 when he went to school.
Puppy Break: Award-Winning Vets
Answers to the Community College Month Quiz!
- How many students enroll in community colleges?
Answer: About 7 million students enroll in community colleges. That’s over half of all undergraduates at public colleges and universities in the U.S.! - When did community colleges start?
CCs got their start in the early 20th Century. Joliet Junior College, in Joliet, Illinois, was the first community college established in 1901. - Most CC students come from four states. Can you name them?
Over one-third of community college students in the U.S. come from California, Texas, Florida, and New York. - How much money can students save at community college?
Students can save as much as $30,000 or more by attending a community college instead of a private 4-year college, according to savingforcollege.com.
In conclusion, we hope you had a stellar Community College Month!
If you’re looking for more, then check out #cccommunity3: Herstory Makes Happy Headlines.
Do you have a personal best you’d like to share? Then please send your good news to reachout@interactcom.com for a chance to be featured in our next #cccommunity3!
