A MESSAGE
Rod Paige

How do U.S. community colleges reflect American values? This introductory essay by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education introduces the discussion of two-year colleges that follows.

AMERICA'S COMMUNITY COLLEGES: ON THE ASCENT
By Arthur M. Cohen

The author, a professor of higher education at the University of California at Los Angeles and author of the leading study on community colleges, presents an overview of the state of the two-year institutions within the historical context, setting out their strengths and challenges and how they achieved the level they enjoy today.

LAMPS BESIDE THE GOLDEN DOOR
By Evelyn Clements

Community colleges, with their easy access, job skills programs and diverse student bodies, offer many benefits -- not the least of which are lifelong learning opportunities. This article by a vice president of a community college in Massachusetts gives examples of these opportunities.

THE GLOBAL LINKAGE: A CONVERSATION WITH JAMES MCKENNEY
By Michael J. Bandler

In this interview, the vice president for economic development and international programs of the American Association of Community Colleges surveys the international impact of U.S. community colleges. The conversation describes the two-pronged approach -- serving both those who come in increasing numbers to the United States to pursue the two-year curriculum, and those educational institutions abroad that seek to transplant the U.S. community college model onto their soils.

THE CASE FOR THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE BACCALAUREAT DEGREE
By Kenneth P. Walker

In this article, the author, president of a leading Florida community college, discusses how the two-year certificate might be meshed with the four-year programs of the nation's colleges and universities, the result not only of demand, but also of shared interests and goals.

FROM CLASSROOM TO WORKPLACE: TIES THAT BIND
By Michael J. Bandler

Workplace development is one of the primary missions of America's community college system. Success depends on cooperation among the schools, the corporate/business sector and the local and regional jurisdictions. Case studies show how this facilitation, and the vision, is succeeding.

LAUNCHING PADS FOR LIFE
` By Tracey Wong Briggs

A recent announcement by the publication USA TODAY of its selections as winners of its annual recognition program reveals a diverse group that reflects, in microcosm, the community college population today.

BIBLIOGRAPHY AND INTERNET SITES

U.S. Society & Values

An electronic journal of the Department of State

Volume 7, Number 1, June 2002

The Office of International Information Programs of the U.S. Department of State provides products and services that explain U.S. policies, society, and values to foreign audiences. The Office publishes five electronic journals that examine major issues facing the United States and the international community. The journals -- Economic Perspectives, Global Issues, Issues of Democracy, U.S. Foreign Policy Agenda, and U.S. Society and Values -- provide statements of U.S. policy together with analysis, commentary, and background information in their thematic areas.

All issues appear in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish language versions, and selected issues also appear in Arabic and Russian. English-language issues are published at approximately a one-month interval. Translated versions normally follow the English original by two to four weeks.

The opinions expressed in the journals do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. government. The U.S. Department of State assumes no responsibility for the content and continued accessibility of Internet sites linked to herein; such responsibility resides solely with the publishers of those sites. Articles may be reproduced and translated outside the United States unless the articles carry explicit copyright restrictions on such use. Potential users of credited photos are obliged to clear such use with the indicated source.

Current or back issues of the journals, and the roster of upcoming journals, can be found on the Office of International Information Programs' International Home Page on the World Wide Web at http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/journals.htm. They are available in several electronic formats to facilitate viewing on-line, transferring, downloading, and printing.

Comments are welcome at your local U.S. Embassy or at the editorial offices:

Editor, U..S. Society & Values
Society and Values Team -- IIP/T/SV
U.S. Department of State
301 4th Street SW
Washington, D.C. 20547
United States of America

ejvalues@pd.state.gov

Publisher  Judith S. Siegel;  Editor  Richard Lundberg;  Managing Editor  Michael J. Bandler;  Associate Editors, Reference/Research  Mary Ann Gamble, Kathy Spiegel;  Contributing Editors Charles Goss, Yvonne Shanks;  Art Director  Thaddeus A. Miksinski, Jr.;  Graphics Assistant  Sylvia Scott;  Internet Editor  Wayne Hall;  Editorial Board George Clack, Judith S. Siegel, Leonardo Williams