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Compelling Reasons to Pursue the Goals of VCC VCC Outcomes, Impact, And Accomplishments
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Compelling Reasons to Pursue the Goals of VCCCommunities need their colleges and universities. Most business, government, and civic leaders agree that solutions to difficult community and statewide challenges must emerge from local communities and involve local institutions. Vermont colleges and universities are well suited to increase their role in community problem-solving efforts. They are geographically distributed throughout the state, have missions consistent with - and pride themselves on being committed to - community engagement, and possess a wide range of human, financial, and material resources. Students need practical, community-based experience. The health of our democracy depends on an active, informed citizenry, yet recent research shows that college students are often ill-equipped in knowledge, skills, and attitudes for their roles as citizens and public leaders - skills that also are increasingly important in the workplace and global society. Fortunately, research also shows that students involved in high quality courses or programs combining service with learning demonstrate increased academic understanding and engagement, commitment to service, ability to work effectively with others, and improved workforce skills. Colleges and universities need to demonstrate their relevance - to students, communities, the state and nation. Government, business, and the public at large sometimes criticize higher education as unaccountable and irrelevant to many spheres of life. In partnership with business and government, higher education can serve as the "third leg," strengthening the infrastructure for development and systemic problem-solving. VCC campuses recognize their future is inextricably linked to their success in developing clearer connections between research, teaching and outreach functions and the well-being of individuals and communities in Vermont. |
