Student Voices Reflection

IDSL 885
Veronica Wilkerson Johnson
3-6-13

As I reflect on the Student Voices text and the ways in which it has application to
my work, I think about a recent article by Jon Marcus at the Hechinger Institute,
which appeared in CNN Money on 2-26-13 which he entitled: Community
college grads out-earn bachelors degree holders. Having completed the
Students Speak: Are We Listening text, and having watched again the
accompanying video, this article framed for me why we do what we do as
educators. For many years community colleges were seen as a place where
people went to prepare for a four-year institution, or where they went when they
were otherwise underprepared. Then they were seen as technical degree schools
for those who wanted trades as well as some academia. It was then a burst of
sheer joy for me to read this article that confirmed how community colleges
increasingly have risen in their place in society, now standing alongside
universities in producing graduates that contribute immediately in their chosen
fields of study, and boost the economy in so doing.
Student Voices provides me inspiration in a number of ways to do my best in my
current work as an Adjunct Faculty member, and in the future as a leader. It
discusses, for instance, developing a clear analysis of who our community college
students are, understanding that the starting points are very important, as Tinto
and Chickering pointed out, in determining how well the student will succeed.
Also, Chapter 8, Community Colleges: Doing What Works for Students clearly
speaks to my enthusiasm for opening doors for students through the Achieving
the Dream and Learning Communities models that have been so effective across
the nation. I particularly liked the examples provided about the Houston
Community College (pgs. 111-113) and the Skagit Valley College (p. 115) that
each used the interventions creatively to produce tangible results. Their students
grow, learn and excel.
Also, it goes without saying that the Student Voices video is priceless. How else
do we realize how our students feel unless we allow them to express their hopes,
concerns and insecurities? It was clear that, as McClenney and Arnsparger noted
throughout the book, engagement among and with students makes a difference
in the way that they adopt the college experience. They must feel included. It is
a scary step for many, sometimes confusing, and there are unknowns. I thought
about the student in the video who had particular interest in becoming a
successful entrepreneur and retiring by the age of 40. The methods that this text
encourages will certainly help many students like this young man to realize their
dreams and maximize their potential.

I also appreciated that the text encourages educators to help students start right
in the community college experience. It discusses the need for clear expectations,
as mentioned on p. 84 regarding how students responded to the SENSE survey,
on how well their instructors explained the syllabus. As an instructor this
resonated with me. Understanding is an important element in working with all
students.
Finally, the most important guideline that I will take with me from this text is
that it is important to occasionally reassess the reason we are here (p. 53), the
reason we teach and seek to administer at a community college. The faculty role
is very important as noted on p. 52, where many faculty say they recognize how
valuable it is to make connections with their students. However I also think
about how important college leaders are in setting the tone, creating the culture,
for faculty to feel comfortable in engaging and nurturing their students. This
reading reminded me of the interconnectedness of all of our work in higher
education and in guiding community colleges to a heightened level of excellence.
We are indeed educating the populous of Michigans future and this nation. As
McClenney and Arsparger said, it is important to listen to those students who
speak.

References:
McClenney, K.M. and Arnsparger, A. (2012). Students speak: are we listening? In
Kay M. McClenney and Arleen Arnsparger, the Center for Community College
Student Engagement (CCCSE). The University of Texas at Austin. Austin, TX.
Marcus, J. (2013). Community college grads out-earn bachelors degree holders. Jon
Marcus in CNNMoney, a service of CNN, Fortune and Money, 2-26-13. Last
retrieved 3-4-13.