Raising the Bar

Nearly one in six of the 450,000 international undergraduates studying in the United States are enrolled at associate’s colleges. Yet, community colleges face a number of challenges when it comes to international student recruitment, experts say. While institutions across the United States have seen declines in international student enrollment in recent years, community colleges often grapple with some added obstacles, from a lack of name recognition overseas to limited recruiting resources.

Yet, community colleges face a number of challenges when it comes to international student recruitment, experts say. While institutions across the United States have seen declines in international student enrollment in recent years, community colleges often grapple with some added obstacles, from a lack of name recognition overseas to limited recruiting resources.

However, their open access policies and ability to adapt to serve different student groups also create opportunities. When community colleges break through the crowded market and educate prospective students on the overwhelming benefits of their schools, it yields big results.

An Education on Multiple Levels 

For community colleges, one of the biggest challenges to recruitment is a general lack of understanding among international students about the U.S. community college model, says Samira Pardanani, executive director for international education at Shoreline Community College. Shoreline has seen its share of misperceptions surrounding the U.S. community college experience over the 40 years that it has been hosting international students.

Few other countries have educational systems that offer open access (no application required), both academic and vocational programs, and the option to