Higher Ed's Other Goals

by Carol Lucey, in the Community College Times (February 15, 2005)

In a commentary written for the Community College Times, Western Nevada Community College President Carol A. Lucey calls attention to the differing perspectives of educators and the general public on the purposes of college. As Lucey points out, a recent survey by the Chronicle of Higher Education showed that a majority of the public believes that the most important function of college is to prepare graduates for good jobs. Educators, however, tend to view other outcomes as more important--critical thinking and communication skills, global knowledge, respect for different beliefs, and civic engagement. The general education programs in which students develop these kinds of skills, Lucey says, are part of a larger educational tradition that seeks to produce "intellectual liberation in students."

Lucey argues that balancing the demand for vocational education with the goals of such a liberal education is a challenge that educators, legislators, and the general public need to seriously address. "We want our students to become engaged citizens and voters, strong and involved parents, better PTA officers and service organization members, and more discerning and critical newspaper readers" as well as successful professionals, she writes. "While students (and their parents) may be attracted to college by the opportunity to pursue a good career, collectively, we cannot afford to lose sight of the importance to our states and our nation of these other college goals."

The full text of Carol Lucey's editorial has been posted to AAC&U's Web site.