Centers of Excellence: Niche Methods to Improve Higher Education in the 21st Century

There are many Centers of Excellence (COE) in community colleges and universities in the United States. Presently, a number of these provide approximately an extra year beyond various existing degrees. Most of these COEs deal with a variety of training and educational needs and work directly with the appropriate business communities. They provide students with additional training and expertise beyond the normal degree programs. This gives graduates specific educational training on the latest developments in their area of expertise, which makes them more employable and sought out for by businesses. Centers of Excellence: Niche Methods to Improve Higher Education in the 21st Century informs institutions of higher education about COEs that currently exist so interested administrators may initiate Centers of Excellence that are needed in their service areas. Furthermore, the information in this book will assist community colleges and universities in learning how a Center is activated, funded, and supported. The Centers are valuable to students, higher education institutions, and the business community.

Dr. Darrel W. Staat is past president of two community colleges in Maine, one of which for whom he was also the founding president. He was president of a community college in Virginia and the president of the South Carolina Technical College System. He is an associate professor and coordinator of the Higher Education Executive Leadership Program at Wingate University in North Carolina.