Examining the Impact of Community Colleges on the Global Workforce

In an effort to create a more educated workforce in the United States, many community colleges are implementing new practices and strategies to assist under-prepared students. These efforts will ultimately support a stronger and more resilient global workforce. Examining the Impact of Community Colleges on the Global Workforce provides relevant theoretical and conceptual frameworks, best practices, and emerging empirical research about new approaches being employed in community colleges to prepare students for their post-collegiate careers. Featuring recent initiatives in educational settings, this publication is a critical reference source for higher education practitioners, policymakers, and graduate students in higher education administration programs interested in the innovative practices utilized by community colleges to educate underserved students.

Stephanie Jones is a tenured associate professor and program coordinator of higher education at Texas Tech University. Her research agenda includes community colleges, distance learning, leadership, and organizational climate and culture. Before joining Texas Tech University, Dr. Jones served as the Associate Dean of Distance Education and Instructional Support at South Plains College, where she assisted with the administration of the distance learning initiatives, dual enrollment, instructional technology and student support. She also served as the Project Director of a $3.5 million federal Title V Cooperative grant that partnered South Plains College and Amarillo College in efforts to increase student access to higher education through distance learning. Prior to her Associate Dean role, she served as faculty and department chairperson of computer information systems. Dr. Jones began her professional career in information technology as a software developer and project manager, before moving into education.

Dimitra Jackson Smith is a tenure-track assistant professor of higher education at Texas Tech University. Her research agenda follows three distinct, interrelated strands: (a) student success in STEM fields, (b) educational pathways among traditionally underrepresented students, and (c) the role of community colleges and minority-serving institutions in student success. Before joining the faculty at Texas Tech University, Dr. Smith focused her attention on research as a postdoctoral research associate. Prior to her research position, Dr. Smith served in several student services positions including a Program Development Specialist in Multicultural Student Affairs and a Graduate Family Interaction and Behavior Assistant at the Institute for Social and Behavioral Research. Since 2011, Dr. Jackson has been an Assistant Professor at Texas Tech University. Her research accomplishments have awarded her several recognitions by the Council for the Study of Community Colleges, the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students and by Iowa State University STATEment Makers committee.