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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

Leadership Abstract - Bridging Generations: A “Community” College Imperative


As the population ages, the mature worker is becoming a rich resource and role model in the typical workplace. Norwalk Community College (CT) learned how the community college, too, can build a bridge between the mature citizen and the institution. Read about this fruitful use of resources in the October Leadership Abstracts.

Published monthly with Support from SCT (www.sct.com)

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Bridging Generations: A “Community” College Imperative by Jeffrey A. Cantor

The American public’s average age has been increasing steadily over the
past few decades. Our citizens’ productive years have also increased as a result of advances in health sciences and in the nature of the workplace. Today, we find that the mature worker (i.e., 60 or older) is a tremendous resource to the typical workplace, in technical skills and information, as well as a role model to the younger worker. In addition to serving directly in the workforce, many mature citizens want to stay active after retirement and to contribute to their community in meaningful ways. Given these trends and wishes, coupled with predicted societal and demographic shifts, leaders in community colleges must begin substantive dialogues about reaching out to these community members.

It is imperative that a community college, as a community-based
organization, connect with its mature adult community. A community college can build bridges between their mature citizens and their institution and achieve particularly meaningful outcomes in the process. Just such a bridge exists between Norwalk Community College (CT) and the Lifetime Learners Institute (LLI), an independent institute for lifelong learning within the college. A closer look at this bridge building reveals far-reaching and positive outcomes for the college and community.

A community’s mature adults are able to come together to meet their needs for continuous learning and sharing of interests in an appropriate setting.  (Article continues in the attchment…)

                                                                                    

Dr. Susan Salvador
Office for Student Services
10/21/2003