Community College Named Business of the Year Sparks Faculty

A community college president was presented with a 'Business of the Year' plaque by the local chamber of commerce during a faculty meeting about curriculum changes. According to a column in Inside Higher Ed, a professor immediately objected, arguing the college is not a business.

The incident, recounted by an academic dean, shows a persistent tension in how community colleges are perceived. Political and business leaders often view them primarily as job-training centers, sometimes applying market competition logic to a public service. Many faculty, however, see them first as colleges, with career training as one component.

The Stairway Perspective

An academic vice president or dean must handle between these two worlds, a position the author likens to being on a stairway between a dance floor and a balcony. The dean acknowledged the professor's frustration but later explained the award's practical value. Local funding is key for college operations, and recognition from respected business groups can help secure financial support for its educational mission.

Containing Multitudes

The column argues community colleges contain multitudes, serving multiple purposes that people interpret selectively. They are indeed more focused on job training, particularly in the trades, than many four-year institutions. Yet, they also function as critical on-ramps for transfer to bachelor's degree programs, with many graduates having community college credits in their academic history.

Faculty in disciplines like history can feel marginalized by constant messaging about 'aligning' with employer needs. A recent local meme joked about the University of Pittsburgh replacing its Cathedral of Learning with a 'Cathedral of Marketable Skills,' a sentiment that resonated with this conflict.

A Moment of Recognition

A separate event offered a different kind of validation. The college held a dedication ceremony for a September 11 memorial artwork built by students in a special summer art class. The students, most of whom were born after the 2001 attacks, spoke about learning of the event's historical and cultural impact through the project.

The ceremony was attended by a state senator, a county commissioner, and local press. In this context, the dean noted the absence of dismissive 'what are you going to do with that' questions about art. Instead, there was appreciation for the perspective art provides and for the students' hard work.

The dean concluded that community colleges are in the 'hope business,' finding it in moments where their broader educational mission is publicly understood and celebrated, even if praise is sometimes partial.