I’m in Washington, D.C., this week at an all you can eat buffet of meetings. One day the topic is internationalizing education, another it’s saving Pell (again!) and funding for community colleges, the next it’s best practices in academic programs, and then another, it’s on to workforce development. But, no matter the day and time or the voices gathered (which by the time my week ends will have included community colleges, comprehensives, R1s, liberal arts colleges, industry groups, politicians, journalists, higher ed advocates -- from inside and outside of the U.S.), there’s been a consistent theme: completion and competitiveness. So, I’m skipping ahead in the “Ready – Set” framework to the last two steps: Complete and Compete.
How they are related is one reason why completion is so important. In February, The Economist looked behind the unemployment figures, comparing unemployment figures among both those with and without college degrees:
“… the number of high school grads in the labour force has dropped by 305,000 while the number of college grads in the labour force has risen by 355,000. And employment among high school grads has fallen by 29,000 over the past year, while employment among college grads has increased by 617,000.”
The Economist goes on to note that educated workers continue to be “absorbed” into the workforce through a greater number of opportunities, while the number of positions available to less educated workers has remained static. These individuals find employment only when someone else becomes unemployed. So, completing is important for an individual student if he or she wishes to be competitive within an economy in which those without an education more often also find themselves without a job.
Yet, let’s be honest, few if any of our students will be convinced by The Economist that sticking it out in college through the long days and longer nights will pay off in the end. And, perhaps only a handful more will be convinced by me. Our students are much more likely to listen to those they trust: their peers.
This is why Phi Theta Kappa’s Complete to Compete activities next week are so very important. Our students will be hearing from other students that completing is worth it -- financially, academically, and personally. The week kicks off with a forum on November 14 and includes a scavenger hunt, a scholarship contest, and a signing ceremony. For the full details, see
https://web.monroecc.edu/phithetakappa/addedValuesPI/stories/storyReader$117.
I encourage you to support our students in their quest not just to graduate but also to cross the stage with more of their peers each year. Let’s live out our 50th anniversary motto and fulfill our community’s promise by increasing the number of proud, engaged, bright and successful MCC alumni! Completing improves their future and strengthens our community.
How will you complement our students' efforts to encourage their peers to complete? Post your response to the
blog.