Rural Community Colleges and Economic Development: Leaders’ Perspectives on

Collaboration

Kevin PenningtonMitchell Williams

Western Carolina UniversityCullowhee, NC

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Challenges Facing Rural Areas

Low population density Low per capita income Low levels of educational

achievement Fewer employment opportunities Limited educational opportunities High rates of poverty and illiteracy

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Economic development & the mission of the rural community

college

Part of the mission of the rural community college is to improve the economic climate in its service region through the development of the educational skills of its students.

“Economic development” concerns programs, policies, and activities that seek to improve the economic well-being (including job creation and retention) and quality of life in a region or community.

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A community college’s influence on economic development

Just the presence of a community college can have a positive impact on the economic climate in a rural county.

A 2001 study indicated that establishing a community college can contribute 8% to 11% toward a county’s economic development.

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The role of the rural community college in economic

development

Serving as a catalyst for cooperation Allocating resources Evaluating training needs Focus on workforce development Upgrading the skills of current workers Offering a politically “neutral” location

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Collaboration in economic development

Economic development in rural areas is a complex challenge that often requires collaboration with other stakeholders:

State & County economic develop. agencies, Chambers of commerce, Major employers, Local governments & county commissioners, Other institutions of higher education

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Partnerships Can Be Useful

Enhance grant funding opportunities Meet the public’s expectation of

cooperation Over-come fiscal constraints Meet increased demands for services Maximize potential benefits Reduce duplication

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Recent study on collaboration in economic development

The purpose was to better understand rural community college presidents’ perceptions of the partnerships their institutions enter into for economic development purposes and to determine if other institutions of higher education are - - or can be - - important partners in rural economic development.

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Recent study on collaboration in economic development

Rural community college leaders were asked:

(1) their perceptions of the importance of collaboration or partnering in economic development activities,

(2) their perceptions of what organizations or entities make ideal partners for economic development,

(3) how important it is to collaborate with other institutions of higher education to meet their economic development mission.

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Findings: Economic development and rural community colleges

A large majority of respondents indicated: economic development was an important part of

the mission of the rural community college (98%)

their institution was currently involved in economic development activities (96%)

A smaller majority indicated: their institution always collaborates or partners

with other organizations in economic development projects or activities (55%)

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Partnering with Other Institutions

of Higher Education

Importance of partnering with other institutions of higher education on economic development

Response # %Very important 58 48Important 34 28Somewhat important 26 22Not important 2 2

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Most Valuable Higher Education Partners

Most valuable potential higher education partner by institutional type

# ranked 1st or 2nd

Public University 115Other Community College 98Private 4-year 23Private 2-year 4

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Most Important Potential Partners

Most important potential partner for rural community colleges in meeting their economic development mission.

Response # %Private sector entities 61 51Public agencies 52 43Institution of higher educ. 7 6

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Discussion

Economic development is an important part of the mission of the rural community college.

Rural community college leaders want to collaborate more with both community-based organizations and institutions of higher education to fulfill that mission.

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Discussion

More collaboration with institutions of higher education is seen as desirable, but public and private (non-education) entities are seen as the best (most valuable) partners.

Institutions from different sectors of higher education have the most difficulty in forming partnerships for economic development because of differing missions and goals.

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Questions for Discussion

Can institutions from different sectors of higher education collaborate on economic development activities?

Why wouldn’t universities want to collaborate with community colleges on rural economic development activities?

Why wouldn’t rural community colleges want to collaborate?

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For more information

Please refer to:Pennington, K., & Williams, M.R. (2004).

“Rural community colleges and economic development: Leaders’ perceptions on collaboration”. Journal of Applied Research in the Community College, 11(2), 33-43.