Handbook for Student Affairs in Community Colleges

Book excerpt: In addressing the unique issues related to the delivery of student services in the community college setting, this book fills a longstanding need to provide practitioners with a contextual framework for their work. Starting by providing the historical context to the development of student affairs in community colleges, this handbook describes the organization of key functions and current practice, and looks at the specific constraints, opportunities, changes and future challenges that practitioners face.Community colleges are grappling with: the realities of shrinking resources; an increasingly diverse and disparate student body, with many attending part-time; demands for greater accountability; a generational change in leadership; and pressures to expand their missions as well as adopt educational technology – all of which have an impact on the role of student affairs.Among the topics covered are: Partnering with Academic Affairs; Financing Student Affairs; Legal and Policy Issues; Strategic Planning and Assessment; Accreditation and Accountability; Technology for Communication and Engagement; Academic Support Services; Student Life and Student Engagement Programs and Services; Enrollment Management; and Services for Special Populations.This handbook is intended for student affairs administrators and professionals at all stages of their careers, as well as for students in graduate preparation programs.