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In his biography of the late Apple CEO Steve Jobs, Walter Isaacson recounts a discussion between Jobs and President Barack Obama about why Apple employed 700,000 factory workers in China and not in the United States. Jobs told President Obama that Apple’s factories are located in China because of the availability of 30,000 engineers that are needed to support the larger workforce there. Jobs said that type of expertise is simply not currently available in the United States in the quantities needed to compete with China’s workforce. Fortunately, community colleges are responding to this challenge and making critical Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education highly accessible, which lays the groundwork for U.S. competitiveness.

Those unfamiliar with community colleges are often surprised when they learn about the diverse extracurricular activities available to students. Students are very involved in athletic teams, student clubs, honor societies, performing arts opportunities and professional organizations that combine to form a well-rounded student life. Active students not only have a more enjoyable college experience, but they also graduate with tangible leadership and team-building skills that will serve them well throughout other educational journeys and careers.

The rising cost of college and the amount of debt students take on to finance higher education have recently been called matters of national importance by elected officials and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. These leaders are holding summits and hearings to debate possible solutions to the problem. While all colleges and universities should continue to address the perennial concerns regarding cost and student debt, the fact remains that community colleges represent the best value in higher education — providing affordable educational programs leading to life-changing opportunities.

In its report, “The Condition of College and Career Readiness 2011,” ACT reports that only 25 percent of students nationwide graduate from high school ready for college in both math and English. Before the release of this report, the Illinois State Board of Education had already adopted new math and English language arts standards for K‐12 education known as the New Illinois State Learning Standards Incorporating the Common Core. We all know that if students aren’t ready for college when they begin, their chances for graduation are greatly diminished. The good news is that community colleges are in an excellent position to work collaboratively with high schools to improve college readiness across all academic subjects.

To paraphrase Mark Twain, the rumors of the death of U.S. manufacturing are greatly exaggerated. While the United States certainly faces much greater global competition than in the past, U.S. manufacturing remains the worldwide leader in terms of production output. Even in a time of high unemployment, local manufacturers say they still need skilled workers to help meet the demand for their products.

There are an estimated 35-43 million people with physical and mental disabilities in the United States according to the National Center for Health Statistics. The U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics reports that nearly 11 percent of undergraduate students in postsecondary institutions have reported a disability. It is widely believed that there are many more who have undiagnosed or unreported disabilities.

If you have a college student in your life, you know there’s no shortage of advice on making the most of the pursuit of higher education. Some tips for new college students seem obvious: complete homework assignments, be organized, get plenty of sleep, and be an active participant in class. Actively participating outside of the classroom, however, is another key way to maximize the college experience. The learning that occurs in other areas of college life stays with students and shapes future success.

Community colleges possess a particularly close connection with the students, local employers, municipalities and communities we serve. The word “community” guides us in all that we do.

Community colleges help people from all backgrounds and experience realize all kinds of educational and career goals. Given the depth and breadth of our offerings, we’re able to encourage students to consider options they may not have imagined — with the goal of finding the right fit and a successful career path.

As another graduating class moves on to brighter futures, the faculty and staff at Waubonsee Community College actively prepare to help a new group of students realize their dreams. While our students may change each year or two, our employees provide knowledgeable, consistent service and create the educational foundation to make a difference year in and year out. This dedication can easily be traced to Waubonsee’s founding.