Economic development functions of New Jersey community colleges

Community colleges, especially in New Jersey, have been recognized as having an important role in the human resource development area of economic development. However, neither the literature nor state policy in New Jersey include a clear definition of the specific functions community colleges should have in economic development. Furthermore, current research does not include consensus on appropriate funding sources for functions in which community colleges could be involved. The purpose of this study was to determine the priorities among economic development functions of the community college as viewed by community college leaders, leaders of business and nonprofit organizations, and economic development specialists in New Jersey. These leader groups also identified how costs for these functions should be apportioned among three funding sources: the state/county; the organization; and the participant/student. Leader group views were obtained through a mail survey using a questionnaire developed for this study. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Spearman Correlation Coefficient. Major findings of the study include: 1. Leader groups displayed a moderate degree of consensus concerning importance ratings and rankings of functions. The data also revealed a high degree of agreement on the selection of a primary funding source for functions. 2. Community colleges providing job training and vocational and career counseling for unemployed persons were the most highly rated functions in the study. 3. Three functions concerning community college involvement in providing training for employees of local organizations were also rated highly: tailoring credit courses for supervisory personnel; providing certificate programs; and providing basic skills training. 4. Having the community college provide credit courses and workshops for small business leaders/entrepreneurs was also selected as an important function by all leader groups.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ed. D.

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Community College Education

Department dc:contributor.department

Community College Education

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Year dc:date.issued

1988

Author dc:creator

• Mora, Peter L.

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Sullins, W. Robert

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Cross, Lawrence H.
• Morgan, Samuel D.
• Hills, Frederick S.
• Parson, Stephen R.

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/53591

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/53591