Higher education is undergoing significant transformations driven by a variety of factors, including technological advancements, changing societal needs, and evolving student expectations. In this fast-changing environment, community colleges are uniquely positioned to meet the needs of students, businesses and the communities they serve.
Early on, St. Charles Community College (SCC) recognized the importance of providing value to its community and identified key areas for growth. This type of change is essential, but it takes time and a resolute attitude for any organization to advance. To meet post-graduate and community needs, SCC added programs in high job demand areas, such as welding and commercial truck driving. It has invested in facilities, such as the soon-to-be-completed Regional Workforce Innovation Center, that are focused on workforce training. And, SCC is investing in the technology that will transform higher education and society into the future, such as holograms, virtual reality and artificial intelligence. The goal is to meet the needs of employers and workers, while giving students a chance at a bright future.
SCC has also focused on making meaningful structural changes to its academic departments. These adjustments have resulted in the reduction of administrative time full-time faculty experience, allowing them to focus their energy and talent on teaching. These changes resulted in increased student success, including an increase in course completions, retention and enrollment. Student success is key to students achieving their educational goals quickly and benefiting the community with their enhanced skills and talents.
With these changes, St. Charles Community College continues to have the highest median earning potential for graduates combined with the lowest average annual cost to attend. According to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, the average cost of attendance for Missouri community colleges is $7,000, compared to SCC’s average cost of $4,000. Conversely, students who graduate from SCC earn a median wage of at least $42,000 as compared to $37,500 for all other community colleges.
Overall, higher education must evolve to meet the changing needs of students, employers, and society. These changes reflect a broader shift toward more flexible, inclusive, and technology-driven approaches to learning and development and SCC is proud to be leading the way.