By Paul Wiles
WINSTON-SALEM (December 15, 2021) – Sometimes things that sound the same are not really the same at all. I would argue that when you think of higher education, you might assume that college is college, and you might not readily see the differences between community colleges and universities. Both systems offer access to high-quality, public higher education in North Carolina, but the notion that all levels and types of post-secondary education should be governed by one board is a farce.
The first thing I thought of when I heard the idea was a homophone: Education at all levels might sound alike, but education at each level has very different meanings, and very different missions.
I’ve spent eight and a half years on the Board of Trustees at Forsyth Tech, and I’ve come to understand the role of Forsyth Tech as a major driver of economic growth and socioeconomic equity within our community.
In my prior role, as the President and CEO of Novant Health, I relied upon Forsyth Tech to provide the single-most-important resource in the healthcare industry: Nurses! Did you know Forsyth Tech also trains electrical lineworkers, firefighters, paramedics, cybersecurity professionals and welders, just to name a few? Additionally, there are early college programs for high school students that allow them to graduate with a high school diploma and an associate degree at just 18 – for free. Not to mention free classes for folks studying English as a Second Language, or the literally hundreds of continuing education certifications and credits that are offered to folks to advance their careers and gain new skills.
Does this still sound like a four-year institution to you? Is it still reasonable to think that institutions so incredibly different should be governed by the same board?
Another point of confusion for me with this idea is: What is the problem that they’re trying to fix with organizational change? By all accounts, our university system is among the most highly respected in the country, and our community colleges are doing a phenomenal job of adapting rapidly to the workforce needs. Over the last year, our own community college has opened an aviation technology lab and program, offered incentives to encourage the next generation of paramedics to receive training, provided stipends and free resources to K-12 teachers to learn about cybersecurity, and filled every healthcare course offered to capacity.
Additionally, the students that we’re training are succeeding at all levels. According to a study by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, community-college students who earn an associate degree and then transfer to four-year institutions have graduation rates equal to or higher than students who enroll directly from high school or transfer from another four-year institution. According to the same study, the students who began at a community college also graduate in a reasonable amount of time (2.5 years, on average) and at a lower total cost to the student.
As I reflect upon my 40-year career, I think of the mantra that all those who work in healthcare hold dearly: First, do no harm. The kinds of changes that would undoubtedly result from the consolidation of education governing boards has the potential to do harm to the very people they are designed to serve.
The notion that education is the same across the board is, put simply, false. What does an electrical lineworker have in common with a PhD student in electrical engineering? While both impact critical functions in our lives, who do you want your community to have available during a thunderstorm? An ice storm?
I implore you not to be seduced into a false belief that the establishment of a sole governing body for public education in North Carolina would benefit our students. The community colleges across our state are doing a fantastic job of training the future – and current – members of our workforce. Please don’t allow an unnecessary change to delay progress for our state and local economies and, most importantly, for the students and communities we serve.
Paul Wiles is a former President and CEO of Novant Health. He currently serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees at Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem.
Allison Murray says
Dear Higher Ed Works and Mr. Wiles,
How amazing the community college system is in North Carolina! I have first-hand knowledge of four, each with varying strengths but all dedicated to their students in a way different from a four-year institution. And I agree that community colleges are great boons to the work force, training plumbers, electricians, medical field workers, entrepreneurs, and giving all of us a chance to brush up and add to our skill sets. Equally important are the two-year associate degrees that allow so many to continue their education or to prepare for transferring to a four-year school.
I also implore you not to put the leadership of the community college system with that of the four-year universities. Each require focus, innovation, and a lot of guidance. If the community college system were floundering, then I could support the joining of the two systems. But it isn’t. And having power divided, allowing different opinions and actions, is always more successful than unilateral control.
I’ve always been so proud of North Carolina’s systems of higher education, both the community colleges and the four-year universities. I firmly support leaving the two systems separate and able to continue their highly successful jobs of providing North Carolina with an exceptional educational system.
J.L. Hughes says
So what exactly are we attempting to remedy? Has the respective faculties pushed for this change? What do the students say (they are after all the customers of these institutions)?
Might I suggest that we focus on better support for all levels of education rather than undertaking yet another scheme for consolidating power. We can do better.
Daniel Rawls says
Well said, Mr. Wiles. Public Universities and Community Colleges have very different missions and roles to play in society. There is no question but that improving communication and collaboration between the two could benefit everyone. However, a merger of the systems is not the answer to those challenges. I have served in higher education for over thirty years at institutions from each sector, and much of that time has been devoted to building bridges between the two. It can, and should, be done, But each solution is unique; a collaboration of equals where one size does not fit all. Finally, I know from experience that Forsyth Tech is an excellent institution and partner, so thank you for your leadership. Best of luck!
Don Ward says
I too have reservations about a merger between these two systems (UNC and NCCCS). Each serves a unique need for the community. However, the inequity of funding models for both systems has pushed this discussion about merging. NCCCS educates at least 50% more students annually but receives significantly less funding as compared with the UNC system. Merging will decrease the number of community colleges along with the amount of money the NC General Assembly spends on public, higher education. I will not engage in a debate about the efficacy of either system; both systems are broken and lack sustainable leadership. Merger will benefit the UNC system with more money and dismantle NCCCS into a series of technical training centers.