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Community College Research: Understanding Community Colleges

This provides an overview of the history of community colleges in the United States, as well as what current priorities are within the state of Massachusetts.

Community Colleges

 

Community Colleges are open access institutions wherein students can receive a quality education. The history of community colleges in the United States dates back to 1901. Massasoit Community College was founded in 1966. Massasoit Community College's mission statement underscores our desire to continue to be an institution centered on student success. 

 

Massasoit Student Demographics

52% are students of color

65% are part-time

52% of students are 21 years or younger

26% are 22-29

22% are 30 years of age or older.

62% are female.

Enrollment and Credits

28% of credit students are enrolled in career programs;

52% are enrolled in liberal arts and sciences programs;

20% are non-degree students.

The FY2021 annual unduplicated headcount for credit students was 8,483 (3,179 FTEs).

Over 2,000 students annually enroll in non-credit community education or workforce development courses.

--From Massasoit's Institutional Research Department, 2021 Fact Sheet

Resource Guides for Research about Community Colleges

Research about Community Colleges

Community Colleges are essential institutions within the landscape of higher education. In 1996, the Community College Research Center at Columbia University was founded. The CCRC has become one of the most widely recognized research centers that focus on community colleges, their impact and future.

The Center for the Study of Community Colleges, established in 1974, focuses on the study of community college policy and practice. 

The American Association of Community Colleges is "the primary advocacy organization for the nation’s community colleges." They provide research on community college history, current data, and trends. AACC Research

The Community Colleges Research Guide--U.S. Department of Education provides a list of current research about community colleges.

The National Academic Advising Association is now a global organization that advances the scholarship of academic advising. NACADA Center for Research