Rural Community Colleges and Economic Development: Leaders’ Perspectives on Collaboration Kevin Pennington Mitchell Williams Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC

RCCA Annual Meeting October 4, Challenges Facing Rural Areas Low population density Low per capita income Low levels of educational achievement Fewer employment opportunities Limited educational opportunities High rates of poverty and illiteracy

RCCA Annual Meeting October 4, Economic development & the mission of the rural community college Part of the mission of the rural community college is to improve the economic climate in its service region through the development of the educational skills of its students. “Economic development” concerns programs, policies, and activities that seek to improve the economic well-being (including job creation and retention) and quality of life in a region or community.

RCCA Annual Meeting October 4, A community college’s influence on economic development Just the presence of a community college can have a positive impact on the economic climate in a rural county. A 2001 study indicated that establishing a community college can contribute 8% to 11% toward a county’s economic development.

RCCA Annual Meeting October 4, The role of the rural community college in economic development Serving as a catalyst for cooperation Allocating resources Evaluating training needs Focus on workforce development Upgrading the skills of current workers Offering a politically “neutral” location

RCCA Annual Meeting October 4, Collaboration in economic development Economic development in rural areas is a complex challenge that often requires collaboration with other stakeholders: State & County economic develop. agencies, Chambers of commerce, Major employers, Local governments & county commissioners, Other institutions of higher education

RCCA Annual Meeting October 4, Partnerships Can Be Useful Enhance grant funding opportunities Meet the public’s expectation of cooperation Over-come fiscal constraints Meet increased demands for services Maximize potential benefits Reduce duplication

RCCA Annual Meeting October 4, Recent study on collaboration in economic development The purpose was to better understand rural community college presidents’ perceptions of the partnerships their institutions enter into for economic development purposes and to determine if other institutions of higher education are - - or can be - - important partners in rural economic development.

RCCA Annual Meeting October 4, Recent study on collaboration in economic development Rural community college leaders were asked: (1) their perceptions of the importance of collaboration or partnering in economic development activities, (2) their perceptions of what organizations or entities make ideal partners for economic development, (3) how important it is to collaborate with other institutions of higher education to meet their economic development mission.

RCCA Annual Meeting October 4, Findings: Economic development and rural community colleges A large majority of respondents indicated: economic development was an important part of the mission of the rural community college (98%) their institution was currently involved in economic development activities (96%) A smaller majority indicated: their institution always collaborates or partners with other organizations in economic development projects or activities (55%)

RCCA Annual Meeting October 4, Partnering with Other Institutions of Higher Education Importance of partnering with other institutions of higher education on economic development Response#% Very important5848 Important3428 Somewhat important2622 Not important 2 2

RCCA Annual Meeting October 4, Most Valuable Higher Education Partners Most valuable potential higher education partner by institutional type # ranked 1 st or 2 nd Public University 115 Other Community College 98 Private 4-year 23 Private 2-year 4

RCCA Annual Meeting October 4, Most Important Potential Partners Most important potential partner for rural community colleges in meeting their economic development mission. Response#% Private sector entities6151 Public agencies5243 Institution of higher educ. 7 6

RCCA Annual Meeting October 4, Discussion Economic development is an important part of the mission of the rural community college. Rural community college leaders want to collaborate more with both community-based organizations and institutions of higher education to fulfill that mission.

RCCA Annual Meeting October 4, Discussion More collaboration with institutions of higher education is seen as desirable, but public and private (non-education) entities are seen as the best (most valuable) partners. Institutions from different sectors of higher education have the most difficulty in forming partnerships for economic development because of differing missions and goals.

RCCA Annual Meeting October 4, Questions for Discussion Can institutions from different sectors of higher education collaborate on economic development activities? Why wouldn’t universities want to collaborate with community colleges on rural economic development activities? Why wouldn’t rural community colleges want to collaborate?

RCCA Annual Meeting October 4, For more information Please refer to: Pennington, K., & Williams, M.R. (2004). “Rural community colleges and economic development: Leaders’ perceptions on collaboration”. Journal of Applied Research in the Community College, 11(2),