Celebrating National Community College Month in 2023: A Brief History

National Community College Month is celebrated annually in April to recognize the contributions and achievements of community colleges in the United States. In this article, we explore the history of this celebration and the important role that community colleges play in making education accessible to all.

Introduction

Community colleges offer affordable education to students from diverse backgrounds and help bridge the gap between high school and college. In recognition of their contributions, National Community College Month is celebrated annually in April each year. In this article, we delve into the history of this celebration and explore the impact of community colleges on education accessibility.

What is National Community College Month?

National Community College Month is an annual celebration that takes place in April to recognize the contributions of community colleges to education in the United States. The celebration is spearheaded by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), which represents more than 1,000 community colleges across the country.

The History of National Community College Month

National Community College Month was first celebrated in April 1985, when the AACC launched an initiative to raise awareness about the role of community colleges in higher education. The initiative was called "Community Colleges: The Best Deal Going" and aimed to highlight the affordability, accessibility, and quality of education offered by community colleges.

The first National Community College Month celebration was a huge success, with events held across the country to promote community colleges. The following year, the AACC launched a national advertising campaign to further raise awareness about the benefits of attending a community college.

Since then, National Community College Month has become an annual tradition, with events and activities organized by community colleges across the country. The celebration has helped to elevate the profile of community colleges and highlight the important role they play in making education accessible to all.

The Importance of Community Colleges

Community colleges are an essential part of the higher education landscape in the United States. They provide affordable education to students from diverse backgrounds and help prepare them for further education or the workforce. Here are some key facts about community colleges:

• Community colleges enroll more than 12 million students each year, which is about 40% of all undergraduate students in the country.
• Community colleges offer a wide range of degree and certificate programs, including transfer programs that allow students to complete the first two years of a four-year degree at a lower cost.
• Community colleges are particularly important for students from low-income families and underrepresented minorities, who may not have the financial resources or academic preparation to attend a four-year college or university.
• Community colleges also offer workforce development programs that help students acquire the skills they need to succeed in the job market.

Conclusion

National Community College Month is an important celebration that recognizes the contributions of community colleges to education in the United States. Community colleges provide affordable education to students from diverse backgrounds and play a critical role in making higher education accessible to all.

So let's raise a toast to community colleges and the important work they do!