What are some of the most critical ideas that the Spellings Commission offers surrounding quality and the community college?
Dr. Nunley: As a community college president I have learned to defend what we do. When people say too few students have graduated or only this many students are completing a particular program, I can explain why. There are many reasons for the pattern of student progression in community colleges. Our students work. They face family challenges. They leave the system; they come back. But all the reasons can’t explain all the loss. What’s more, I am convinced that we can find some interventions that will help more students progress and complete. One of the clear messages from the Community College Survey of Student Engagement is the importance of relationships in determining student persistence higher education. Students need to feel connected to a faculty member. They need to feel somebody cares about them. They need someone to call them on the telephone if they miss class, and someone to offer support when things get tough. I think there is more we can do to improve progress to degree.