Community College Faculty: At Work in the New Economy

by John S. Levin, Susan Kater, Richard L. Wagoner

John S. Levin, Susan T. Kater, and Richard L. Wagoner collectively argue that as community colleges organize themselves to respond to economic needs and employer demands, and as they rely more heavily upon workplace efficiencies such as part-time labor, they turn themselves into businesses or corporations and threaten their social and educational mission.

208 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2006

Reviews

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the updated edition that was published in 2011 with an updated preface and epilogue. The book provides basic information about how have historically community colleges organize themselves to be responsive to economic needs of the area. The authors mentioned that community colleges have to be careful to stay true to their mission and not morph into area businesses. Community college faculty have to work towards being more professional and stop perpetuating the idea of ‘transient’ or ‘subpar’ faculty. The extensive use of adjunct faculty should be backed with intensive faculty development focused on improving teaching and increasing the educational quality of the institution. As of 2011 (this was provided in the new epilogue) community college faculty (often referred to as adjunct faculty) constitute one-third of all postsecondary faculty. This makes adjunct faculty a major labor force in the U.S. and requires community colleges to support their continued professional development.