1. Innovative Partnerships in Higher Education
The Community College as Partner in the Education and Training of Immigrants
World Education Services
New York’s Global Talent Pool
November 12, 2009
New York, NY

2. “Community colleges are increasingly pivotal in America’s role in globalization, and the integration of immigrants into the American society and economy. “
Dr. Gail Mellow, President
LaGuardia Community College
Minding the Dream: The Process & Practice of the American Community College

3. Can Community Colleges Shine a Spotlight on this Critical Issue?
Nationally ~
Leveraging our strength as a sector
Locally ~
Responding to the needs of our community/employers
Fulfilling the intent of our students
Through partnerships with
employers, community organizations & higher education
Two Initiatives ~
The Community College Consortium for Immigrant Education
The Gateway Center at Westchester Community College

4. Funded by the JM Kaplan Fund
Created in July 2008
Funded by the JM Kaplan Fund
Representatives from leading community colleges, associations & organizations committed to immigrant education .
Mission : to raise awareness of the important role community colleges play in delivering educational opportunities to immigrants, and
to promote and expand the range and quality of programs for immigrant students among community colleges around the country.
Raise the conversation to a national level
Representatives from (AACC, NCCHC ) community college associations, experts in TESOL and researchers of immigrant education issues are also members of CCCIE.
Have been meeting and reviewing materials and promising practices and have found that there are some challenges and issues that surface and on which we want to spend time finding ways to alleviate/remove

5. Critical Issues & Challenges
For skilled immigrants
English language acquisition
Limited career pathways
Length of time required for advancement/training
Credential/License & recognition of foreign ed
Balance of training with life priorities
Finances
For community colleges
Quality/Innovative instruction - VESL
Development of programs that lead to employment, advancement, degrees - across non-credit and credit
Recognition of talents & skills of immigrants
Recognition of workplace as an asset
Funding sources
Access to pathways – ESL to job skills to employment
Minimizing completion time whenever possible

6. CCCIE Initiatives Engage community colleges as a “critical mass”
“Broker” resources through the community college sector
Dissemination of promising practices with a focus on systems
Partnerships with like minded organizations
Technical Assistance /Peer Support

7. The Gateway Center at Westchester Community College
“For generations, Westchester County has welcomed new residents from every corner of the world. Once again we have become a community of immigrants. …studies tell us that (we) will have a shortage of workers…immigrants will play an essential role in filling that gap. We must focus our resources on educating them to meet the challenge. We worked with hundreds of you – leaders of this community – to shape our response. We are proud of the result …the plan to build The Gateway Center. Dr. Joseph N. Hankin, President Westchester Community College Gateway Groundbreaking, October 2007

8. A shared vision and reality
Input from key stakeholders
Commitment from state, local and private sectors
Hitachi
New Americans forum in the Workforce Forum
Strategic Plan
Responsive to the needs of employers, the community &
our students
Collaboration between divisions, departments & external partners
beyond the Center

9. Inside the Center Joining Credit and Non Credit The Language Wing
The Business Wing Reaching Out
The Welcome Center
Civics & Citizenship Center
International & Immigrant Student Services
The Volunteer Center
Bridging Education & the Workplace
Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies
Spotlighting Students
Davis Global Scholars
Service Learning
A National Focus
CCCIE

10. Next Steps for Community Colleges
Create a shared voice within the state, region and at the national level
Establish partnerships that build on existing strengths & shared interests
Rethink curriculum to blend non-credit and credit programs to fit needs of skilled immigrants
Participate in collection and dissemination of statistics regarding highly skilled immigrant population
Publicize successful outcomes as they support local and state economy

11. Teresita Wisell Associate Dean, The Gateway Center Director, Community College Consortium for Immigrant Education Westchester Community College