Community College Initiative
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The Community College Initiative Program enables individuals from Brazil, Cuba, Egypt, Ghana, Indonesia, Pakistan, South Africa, Turkey, and countries in Central America to spend one year studying at community colleges in the United States and earn a vocational certificate.
The program provides academic instruction in selected fields including agriculture, applied engineering, business management and administration, health professions, information technology, media, and tourism and hospitality management, while also immersing participants in U.S. society and cultural life. After completing the program, participants return home with new skills and experiences that enable them to contribute to the growth and development of their countries and societies.
Participants are recruited from historically underserved populations and may not have had opportunities for formal job training or higher education. Most participants are in their early- to mid-twenties and many already have work experience. Nearly 400 students have benefited since the program’s inception from study at host institutions across the United States.
The Community College Initiative Program demonstrates the United States' commitment to increasing access to higher education for underserved international students in key regions and utilizes the unique resource represented by U.S. community colleges. The program reinforces U.S. community colleges’ efforts to become involved in international education and develop international ties.
As a special component of the Community College Initiative Program, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, is providing support to young Egyptian men and women to develop professional skills and enhance their leadership abilities at U.S. community colleges. The program also provides Egyptian participants with opportunities to improve their understanding of U.S. culture and society.
The Community College Initiative Program with Egypt also provides Egyptian vocational school teachers and administrators with a professional development experience in the United States. Participants spend nine months at a U.S. community college, where they focus on curriculum design and pedagogy, academic affairs and administration, and the development of partnerships with business and industry. Participating teachers and administrators return to Egypt to further support educational reforms in Egyptian technical colleges.
Community Colleges for International Development (CCID) a nationwide consortium of community colleges, received the grant to administer the Community College Initiatives.
Three organizations have received awards to administer the Community College Initiative for Egypt: Northwest Colleges, a consortium of three community colleges in Washington State, including Edmonds, Spokane, and Whatcom Community Colleges; the California Community Colleges; and CCID. CCID also administers the Initiative for Teachers and Administrators.