Community colleges offer value, experience

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BY DEVORAH BEN-DAVID Special Correspondent

Published: October 8, 2008

“What sets us apart from four-year institutions of higher learning is that we place an emphasis on industry-relevant high-tech skills that can be learned in a short period of time,” said Dr. J. Mark Estepp, president of Southwest Virginia Community College. “A community college is also the setting where you can earn a two-year degree and then go directly into the workforce or automatically transfer to a four-year college or university.”

More than 100 associate degrees, diplomas, certificates and career studies certificates are offered by SWCC, a full-service community college. Generally speaking, an associate degree adds $10,000 per year to a graduate’s income.

SWCC is located at the foot of the Clinch Mountains in the westernmost part of the commonwealth, an area where natural gas extraction and clean coal technologies are fast-growing industries.

“For students who want to, ‘Get in, get it and get out,’ we offer a one-year mining diploma program and a two-year mining degree,” Estepp said. “People can make really excellent money in both career paths.”

According to Estepp, SWCC is experiencing an upsurge in its welding program. In 1996 there were 50 students enrolled in welding classes. Today there are 120.

“When Northrup Grummn Corporation and CGI opened offices in the town of Lebanon in Russell County, they relied heavily on our ability to customize specific high-tech training for their employees,” said Estepp. “SWCC created ‘fast track’ programs, designed to get people trained and out to these corporations in a matter of months, not years.”

As the cost of an education continues to skyrocket and credit institutions tighten their financial belts, many students are scrambling for ways to finance their education. Community colleges offer students both savings and “direct transfer agreements,” sometimes called “guaranteed transfer admissions,” which allow students who have graduated with an associate degree to enter the four-year college of their choice automatically in their junior year.

And the cost differential is huge. Students at SWCC pay $2,450 tuition and fees per year, compared with $6,150 tuition and fees per year at a small regional four-year college, for one example. Room and board can add another $6,446 to the four-year college student’s yearly tab, although these fees vary at other four-year schools.

“When you compare a community college to a good, solid state school, you’re looking at a difference of between $9,000 and $10,000 dollars per year,” said Estepp.

SWCC has 17 direct transfer agreements through the Virginia Community College System. But it also has direct transfer agreements on specific majors with 12 four-year colleges and universities.

“We also have an endowed music chair here, so we have a very viable music program that has transferred music majors to some very prestigious music programs and conservatories,” said Estepp.

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College also offers areas of study where students can earn an associate degree or automatically transfer to a four-year institution. Among the transfer degree programs are associate of science in business administration, engineering, mathematics and teacher preparation.

“The classes I took at Reynolds were interesting and challenging,” said Nakeisha Cole, who recently transferred to the College of William and Mary through Reynolds’ guaranteed admission program. “I had wonderful instructors who really encouraged me and helped build confidence in my abilities.”

“I’m passionate about the guaranteed admission agreements because students are defaulting on loans, or dropping out of the four-year schools because they can’t afford the tuition,” said Malcolm Holmes, director of marketing and public relations at Reynolds. “And when you default on your school loan, it ruins your credit. Bad credit ratings make it difficult to get a good job, a loan for a car or even qualify for an apartment.”

Reynolds also offers two-year degree programs designed to put students in a career or job right out of school. Small business management, horticulture technology and culinary arts top the list.

Jason Smith, executive chef, Crowne Plaza Richmond West, graduated with a degree in culinary arts in 2003. He enrolled at Reynolds because he was looking for a good education, at a good price, in a career field he felt passionate about.

“I think that having the book knowledge and the work experience gives you a better insight into the culinary field as a whole,” said Smith, who went on to earn his B.A. in hospitality management.

“I was working 40 hours a week while going to school, so there were times when I felt like giving up. But I stayed focused on my educational goals and now I’m right where I wanted to be.”

Two-year degrees offer graduates many career options. An associate of applied science degree, for example, provides an entrée into the field of criminal justice. An associate of applied arts helps musicians aspiring to work in a church setting. A fire science technology degree is a specialty offering for those wanting to work for a fire department.

Germanna Community College in Fredericksburg serves an area the size of Rhode Island. With a 12 percent growth rate last year, it was the fastest-growing college in the Virginia Community College System.

A 12-credit semester at Germanna costs $1,054 (which includes fees) compared with the University of Mary Washington, a four-year college also in Fredericksburg, where 12-18 credits cost $3,387 per semester, including a comprehensive fee and an auxiliary fee.

Germanna’s guaranteed admission and articulation agreement with four-year institutions includes Saint Paul’s College, Radford University, Ferrum College and the Art Institute of Washington. It also offers financial assistance to eligible graduates when they transfer to the four-year institution.

Its two-year college transfer grant is $1,000 per year, and an additional $1,000 is awarded to students who pursue undergraduate work in science, math, nursing, engineering or teaching.

Among the criteria for receiving the state-sponsored grants, students must transfer to one of Virginia’s public or private four-year colleges, have received an associate degree, and graduate with a 3.0 GPA from Germanna. The grant is limited to three years or 70 credit hours.

“We have traditional-age students, who come right out of college, to students who are in need of a second or third chance at a college education,” said David A. Sam, president of Germanna. “Both my children have graduated from a community college. One is a middle school teacher in Michigan and the other is a graphic designer.”

Christine Gooding, a 2004 graduate of Germanna, always wanted to be a nurse. Instead, she became a field engineer. But in her late 30s she decided to go back to school. Today she is the director of nursing at a skilled and long-term care facility.

“Being in the position that I’m in now, I’m able to welcome students from Germanna to this nice facility, so they can do their long-term clinicals,” said Gooding. “I’m a big proponent of two-year schools because it’s a sensible option, which makes getting an education financially possible.”

According to Sam, Germanna is currently training people for “new tech” jobs in fields such as networking, cyber-security, alternative energies and health technologies.

“Some of the fastest growing positions in the country require less than a B.A. degree,” said Sam. “An automotive technician who moves up into management, for example, can potentially earn $75,000 to $100,000 per year.”

Sam adds that problem-solving jobs that require lots of skills are not likely to be outsourced.

“When it comes to repairing and maintaining high-tech equipment, you can’t ship the job to India,” he said.