Perceptions and Reflections of Administrators: Community Colleges Transitioning to Baccalaureate Colleges

A National Survey of Community College Baccalaureate Institutions

“…But establishing and maintaining baccalaureate programs is a major undertaking for these community colleges. Effective leadership and strategic planning are essential in order to ensure these programs are successful (Bemmel et al, 2009;McKinney & Morris, 2010;McKinney, Scicchitano, & Johns, in press). For community colleges that are considering offering their own bachelor's degrees, the findings presented in this study can be used to more effectively plan for this organizational change.…”

“…Empirical investigations of the CCB have frequently relied on qualitative methods and interviews with college administrators from a limited sample of institutions (e.g., Bemmel, Floyd, & Bryan, 2009;Floyd & St. Arnauld, 2007;McKinney & Morris, 2010). However, as the number of community colleges offering bachelor's degrees has risen, a growing number of studies have used quantitative data to examine the impact of these degree programs (e.g., Bottorff, 2011;Daun-Barnett, 2011;Petrosian, 2010).…”

Concurrence of colleges and universities conferring baccalaureate degrees : a case study of Washington State

“…Each side has an idea that outcomes research will validate their viewpoint (Bragg & Soler, 2017). Numerous scholars point to the gap in outcomes research related to the CCB particularly around graduate salaries, employer perceptions/acceptance of the degree, and evaluation of the CCB's effectiveness as a public policy initiative (Bemmel et al, 2009;Floyd & Walker, 2008;Hrabak, 2009;Townsend et al, 2009;Daun-Barnett, 2011;McKinney et al, 2013;Petrosian, 2013). Washington State presents an interesting case study in that the degree was authorized in 2005, and all colleges were given the authority to offer applied baccalaureate degrees in 2010.…”

Community college transfer and the pathway to a baccalaureate degree : the lived experiences of transfer students

“…Globalization has altered the mission and changed the structure of community colleges (Levin, 2001), moving beyond the traditional mission of access to that of meeting competitive workplace training. Workforce expectations have increased, for many fields, to require the baccalaureate (Bemmel, Floyd & Bryan, 2009;Gross & Goldhaber, 2009b;Reindl, 2005), in its importance to upward mobility in careers (Wang, 2009). In providing students the means by which to obtain the degree, community colleges have never been more critical.…”

“…Globalization is changing our economy, and an educated workforce is now essential (Baum & Kurose, 2013;Community College Trends and Statistics, n.d.). The current workplace, and even a societal, expectation that the youth of today pursue a baccalaureate degree, is higher now than ever before, as it provides an educated workforce and contributes to higher individual income (Baum & Kurose, 2013;Bemmel, Floyd & Bryan, 2009; "Fast facts," n.d.; Carnevale, 2007;Cohen & Laanan, 1997;Eddy, Christie & Rao, 2006;Gilroy, 2005;Gross & Goldhaber, 2009b;Handel, 2013;Tinto, 1993;Reindl, 2005). Carnevale, Cheah & Strohl (2012) maintain that in seeking desired employment and wages, a Bachelor's degree is essential.…”