UNM
THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
38
August 2018
Community colleges play a very important function in improving the lives of students and do this through the fulfillment of multiple roles such as technical skill educators, transfer centers, certificate and degree providers, and career developers. Today, these same two-year institutions are also being called upon to be directly involved in economic development efforts within their communities. Not only are colleges such as UNM-Gallup involved in the business of educating students, but also in meeting the needs of industry and the local economy. Traditionally, community colleges have been dedicated to the conventional role of serving underrepresented populations by preparing students to enter directly into the workforce or transferring to a four-year institution for completion of a baccalaureate degree. While still involved in this life-enhancing work, two-year colleges are now also keeping a close eye on community needs and asking themselves what skills employers and students are ranking as most important. Program development or enhancement requires a close analysis to determine if there are jobs for students upon completion. In this role as a partner in economic development, college administrators must look at their ability to permanently improve students’ lives for their own benefit and that of society. There are several ways providers of higher education can fulfill this need. Through contract training, colleges can create individualized programs for very specific industry skills. The trainings can be customized both in content and in delivery modes and focus on very specialized job skills. Small business development is another response to the economic needs of a community. The UNMGallup Small Business Development Center is at the forefront of business creation and training. As many as one-third of community colleges sponsor a Small Business Development Center as part of their campus education plan. Professional assistance in the form of business plan development, workshops, and financial assistance provides a supportive environment for entrepreneurial success.
