Higher Ed Community (2024)

FAQs

How to answer how would you contribute to our college community? ›

Steer clear of predictable and generic responses about being studious, hard-working, and organized. Craft a response that most applicants couldn't make. What unique interests, hobbies, or talents do you have that will enrich the campus community?

Programs Up, Degrees Down

Although the number of education programs increased by 27.1 percent, the number of bachelor's degrees awarded in the field fell by 15.9 percent. Even within a program area that is popular with students, certain fields are driving the growth.

Building a community within higher education institutions encourages students to: Engage in meaningful connections with peers, faculty members, and staff. Develop a strong support system that encourages them during challenging times, provides guidance for academic and personal growth, and protects their mental health.

Talk about how your skills, understanding, and ethics can positively affect those around you. Even seemingly unrelated skills could be transferable to your target program; every past achievement has skill elements that can be highlighted and applied to future contributions.

You can use your skills, talents, and energy for a greater cause. And to make things even better, you usually always have several local options to choose from. You can volunteer at a hospital, youth group, food bank, senior home, animal shelter, or other local non-profit organizations.

Report: The Biggest Barriers to Higher Ed Enrollment Are Cost and Lack of Financial Aid. U.S. adults who either stopped out, or never enrolled in a postsecondary education program, collectively cited the biggest barrier to accessing a degree or credential is the cost of college.

Limited access to resources: Community colleges may not have the same level of resources and research opportunities as those available at 4-year universities. This could impact your ability to pursue specific academic interests or your exposure to cutting-edge technologies and ideas.

American children are struggling. Reading and math scores are at their lowest in decades, while mental illnesses, absenteeism, and bullying are on the rise. School teachers say they're battling to reach students — while facing their own problems of understaffing, low salaries, and scarce resources.

Research shows that students learn better when their families and local community organizations are engaged in schools. Strong family engagement is linked to increased student achievement, reduced absenteeism, and higher graduation rates.

How does your community affect your education? ›

When schools, families, and community groups work together to support learning, children tend to do better in school, stay in school longer, and like school more. earn higher grades and test scores, and enroll in higher-level programs. be promoted, pass their classes, and earn credits. attend school regularly.

The community-engaged approach also curates a more interactive and inclusive classroom atmosphere in which students are more valued and heard. Bringing community into the classroom also cultivates new relationships, strengthens existing, and creates the opportunity for future collaboration.

If you've worked with diverse groups, explain how you'll support an inclusive community. Be specific about how your experiences have shaped you and can add value to the college environment. And remember, it's not just about what you've done, but also the perspective you bring.

It can be simple classroom supplies, a small amount your time, a monetary donation to a school's emergency fund or to a nonprofit that supports local schools in need, contributing to our schools will help keep students ready and able to learn throughout this school year.

Whether it is helping my classmate, organizing a neighborhood clean-up, or shoveling snow at an elderly neighbor's house, learn to become aware of what is happening around you and what others are experiencing.