Hundreds of programs at community colleges are highlighted throughout the pages of this popular book. Explore their secrets to success for supporting the local economy and improving the cultural depths of their respective regions. At a time when civic and cultural contributions to the economy and the workforce get overlooked and are clearly underappreciated, this insightful book provides a refreshing testament to how properly planned and executed arts programs can positively influence a community. It's time to ensure that your civic and cultural contributions get noticed

An overview is provided of the nontraditional, direct involvement of community colleges in economic development activities. While a review of the literature and a discussion of the factors leading to community colleges' participation in economic development are included, the primary focus of the monograph is on seven models of nontraditional involvement in economic development. Part 1 reviews the literature on economic development as it applies to community colleges and distinguishes between traditional and nontraditional activities. In part 2, key demographic, economic, and sociopolitical trends and forces are described that have provided incentives for community colleges' involvement in the economic growth of their regions and states. Case studies illustrating seven nontraditional models of direct involvement by community colleges are presented in part 3. Descriptions are provided of the Institute for Business and Industry at Lake Michigan College (Michigan); the Mid-Florida Research and Business Center, Inc., at Daytona Beach Community College (Florida); the Pueblo Business Assistance Network at Pueblo Community College (Colorado); the Office Automation Center at Trident Technical College (South Carolina); performance-based contracting at Florida Community College at Jacksonville; the Bevill Center for Advanced Technology at Gadsden State Community College (Alabama); and the international focus of the Center for Business and Industry at Miami-Dade Community College (Florida). Part 4 identifies key factors associated with the success of nontraditional approaches. (AYC)

"It is by far the best study that I know of on community colleges. It comes at a critical time in the history of these institutions. It is carefully reasoned, beautifully written, and sound in its conclusions."—Howard R. Bowen; Professor of Economics and Education, Claremont Graduate School "...and excellent piece of work....Its quality is high and the book is significant. Its significance stems from the fact that it deals with an area of higher education not yet explored by other writings."—Earl F. Cheit; Dean, Schools of Business Administration; University of California, Berkeley "...a great job of describing and clarifying the issues....The book should become 'required reading' for our field...a very fine piece of work that will be a valuable tool for educators, students, and policy-makers."—Roger Yarrington; Vice President, Research and Development, American Association of Community and Junior Colleges "...a thorough job of compiling the pertinent data; of identifying key questions; and of focusing upon central, rather than tangential, issues....Leaders and policy-makers in community colleges and in governmental positions will undoubtedly find the work an invaluable resource."—Bill J. Priest; Chancellor Emeritus, Dallas County Community College District