Oh Yeah, There’s Always Community College

Abstract

This chapter explores how teaching international relations at a community college differs from teaching at a four-year school. Far from being a last-chance option, it can be a rewarding career path for some. My own expectations were vastly out of line with the reality of community college. The student body tends to include more nontraditional students than four-year schools, and professors must have different expectations about basic academic skills. Additionally, the students come from more diverse backgrounds and have diverse academic goals. Teaching at a community college can be very rewarding, however, it is not often presented as a viable option to graduate students. It is important for four-year schools to work closely with their colleagues at community colleges to ensure students are prepared to transfer and continue their education. We all need to overcome our biases about community college.