Is it really “Worth It"?: A Case Study of Santa Monica Community College - Global Studies Associates Degree(A.A.) Program

By: Roy Y. Chan Date: August 5, 2013

•  Brief Literature Review •  Santa Monica College

– Mission Statement – A.A. Global Studies – Global Citizenship – Demographics – Enrollment – Graduation Rates

•  Results •  Discussion •  Recommendations •  Questions? Comments?

Outline

So, what is “global citizenship”?

"The great universities of the 21st century will be those that have a global vision. The challenge for us, as graduates and citizens, is to understand the globalized world and to engage with it….…we need, in a democracy,

to have informed global citizens." ~ Dr. Philip G. Altbach on May 11, 2013 at

Rivier University 78th Commencement

Wordle.com = “Global Citizenship”

Brief Literature Review •  Historically, U.S. community colleges have sent

students abroad since 1947 Truman Commission Report; however, it was not until 2002 when the IIE Open Door’s first reported community college students studying abroad.

•  Today, more than 50 percent of U.S. undergraduate students are enrolled in a community college. –  That’s about 10-12 million students (NCES,

2013). •  Yet, most graduates from U.S. community

colleges will likely not be given another chance to study abroad, to learn with international peers, and to test their own intercultural abilities after their associate’s degree (Frost & Raby, 2009).

Only less than 1%! (Institute of International Education – Open Door Report, 2012)

Brief Literature Review •  The American Association of Community Colleges

(AACC) recent 21st-Century Commission Report stated: “It is important that community college graduates, whatever their location, be not just globally competitive but also globally competent, understanding their roles as citizens and workers in an international context” (AACC , 2012, p. 6).

•  Unfortunately, less than 15 percent of U.S. community colleges offer study abroad programs (Frost & Raby, 2009).

So…HOW ARE WE GOING TO DO EDUCATE STUDENTS TO BECOME

“GLOBAL CITIZENS”?

LET’S LOOK AT SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

So, why Santa Monica College? •  The ONLY community college in Southern

California to offer an associate’s degree in Global Studies.

•  Ranked number one for successful two-year students transferring into four-year bachelor’s degree program in California.

•  The highest enrollment of two-year students enrolled in California (about 34,000 students).

•  Largest number of ‘Total International

Students’ pursuing an associate’s degree in California.

But ranked 2nd with Number of International Students (Institute of International Education – Open Door Report, 2013)

Santa Monica College Mission Statement “Santa Monica College mission is to provide a safe and inclusive learning environment that encourages personal and intellectual exploration, and challenges and supports students in achieving their educational goals. Students learn to contribute to the global community as they develop an understanding of their relationship to diverse social, cultural, political, economic, technological, and natural environments. (College Navigator, 2013).”

Santa Monica College Definition of Global Citizenship

“To be a global citizen, one is knowledgeable of peoples, customs and cultures in regions of the world beyond one's own; understands the interdependence that holds both promise and peril for the future of the global community; and is committed to combining one’s learning with a dedication to foster a livable, sustainable world.” (http://www.smc.edu/GlobalCitizenship, 2013)

Santa Monica College Mission Statement of Global Citizenship Associate’s Degree Program

“The Global Citizenship A.A. program seeks to develop an awareness of the diversity of cultures within the United States and/or an appreciation for the interconnectedness of cultural, ecological, economic, political, social and technological systems of the contemporary world. This prepares the student to make a responsible contribution to a rapidly changing global society. The student must take a minimum of three units in one of the following areas: American Cultures, Ecological Literacy, Global Studies, Service Learning or a Santa Monica College Study Abroad Experience” (http://www.smc.edu/GlobalCitizenship, 2013)

Santa Monica College A.A. Requirements

Santa Monica College General Background of Global Studies A.A. Degree Program

•  Established in Fall 2007 •  Organize Annual Global Citizenship theme (i.e.,

13-14’: Peace and Security, 12-13’: Poverty and Wealth, 11-12’: Health and Wellness, etc.)

•  Organize Two-Week 6 unit Study Abroad to China every summer (between Santa Monica College & The Beijing Center for Chinese Studies) –  Program Cost = $4,800 USD –  SMC Scholarship Available = $500-2,000 USD

•  Organize Annual Student Research Symposium •  Host Annual Summer Professional Development in

Beijing, China and Xi’an, China for faculty members and staff over the summer

•  Offers Mini Grants for faculty members and staff to conduct projects at Santa Monica College during the academic year

So the question arises: is it really “Worth It”?

Let’s look at some data!

Santa Monica College Enrollment

* Source: This data was generated by Roy Y. Chan on August 3, 2013 from the National Center for Education Statistics – Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Santa Monica College Enrollment by Ethnicity

* Source: This data was generated by Roy Y. Chan on August 3, 2013 from the National Center for Education Statistics – Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Santa Monica College Price of Tuition Per Year

* Source: This data was generated by Roy Y. Chan on August 3, 2013 from the National Center for Education Statistics – Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Santa Monica College Graduation Rates

* Source: This data was generated by Roy Y. Chan on August 3, 2013 from the National Center for Education Statistics – Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Results •  Racial/Ethnic minority students are the most

represented group at Santa Monica College (25,000+); yet, about 20% of them graduate on time. With such low graduation rate, pursuing a A.A. Degree in Global Studies may not be worth it UNLESS he/she is on the right track to transfer into a four-year institution.

•  With price of tuition increasing annually at Santa Monica College, persuading less privileged non-traditional students to pursue study abroad will be a daunting task for California community college leaders UNLESS scholarships are fully provided. –  “For students who come from less privileged

backgrounds, getting to university is already a hurdle. Getting abroad feels like extra.” Dr. Nick Gozik on June 10, 2013 New York Times

Discussion •  Demographics are important indicators to

understand students intent to study abroad; however, in reality, the levels of cultural capital of each student will likely determine their final decision to pursue education abroad.

•  From the data generated, privileged two-year students (i.e., wealthy families, educated parents, high cultural capital parents, etc.) may find this program highly beneficial for easy transfer admission into a four-year bachelor’s degree program in the field of International Studies and/or Global Studies.

Recommendations •  Santa Monica College should encourage

other community colleges in California to create a A.A. degree in Global Studies to prepare more American graduates to become globally competent.

•  Santa Monica College should establish an

International Advisory Committee that focus on universalizing “global learning” to prepare students for global realities, not just merely study abroad opportunities.

•  Santa Monica College should become a

member of AIEA or CCID. Unfortunately, of the current 200+ AIEA members, only 7 are community colleges.

Final message…

“It takes a village to raise a child.” Unfortunately, our village borders hardly exist within

community college districts. YOU can help change that by giving a voice to over 10 million community college students and to build a globally competitive workforce.

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

- Mahatma Gandhi

Questions? Comments?

E-mail: roy.chan@bc.edu

*NOTE: This PowerPoint slides are available for download at: http://www.rychan.com