Episode 10: Can Community Colleges lead the incoming disruption of Higher Education? ft. Dr. Lee Lambert, Chancellor at Pima Community College
We have rarely heard the college dream described as, “ I can’t wait to attend community college.”
The dream is about attending a traditional four-year university and experiencing everything that institution has to offer, from academics to athletics and campus life. Today, this dream is out of reach for many students. The cost of college has skyrocketed, and a college degree is no longer a guarantee of a well-paying job.
In this episode of Illuminate Higher Education, Dr. Lee Lambert returns to continue the discussion about higher education and explore the role community colleges should play. Dr. Lambert is Chancellor of Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona. Explore the highlights of the conversation in this brief Q&A, then listen to the full episode for more details.
Q: How do we reframe the discussion around community colleges?
Community colleges are good tools for all students. The problem is we tend to focus on what the institution offers the learner, rather than what the learner needs from that institution.
For example, at Pima Community College, our mission is two-fold. We help students build a foundation for transferring to a four-year institution later. We also offer workforce development and vocational programs for students who aren’t interested in the traditional four-year path.
The focus should be on the student and his or her individual goals or aspirations. Rather than choosing the “best” school, the discussion should focus on what the student wants to achieve and what types of learning platforms can support those goals best.
Q: What tools does Pima Community College provide to support lifelong learning?
To remain part of an individual’s learning journey, the college must adapt to the dynamic changes in the economy and society. Higher education must prepare students for careers, so it is critical that Pima continues to evolve its offerings to meet employer needs.
Consider Pima’s autonomous vehicle technology program. That program wasn’t developed in response to trends in AI. It was an intentional decision that grew out of partnerships with employers who have the need for those skills. Partnerships with employers allow Pima to support disruptive change in the economy by building the skills employers need from their workers.
Q: As a higher education leader, what is your role in encouraging disruption in the space?
Leaders shape the future. They don’t just wait for things to happen. They ask, “How can I help shape my organization to respond to changes in reality?”
It is my job to pay attention to what is going on in the external world and bring our school into alignment. As new trends emerge, I must ask myself how Pima can address trends in a way that helps individual students, communities, and employers. There are always signals or trends that we can leverage for positive change.
Dr. Lambert and podcast host Kiran Kodithala take a deeper dive into these topics and more in Episode 10 of Illuminate Higher Education. You can also connect with Lee on LinkedIn or Twitter, and learn more about Pima Community College on their website.
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