Globalizing the Community College

Long regarded as a local institution, the community college has become a globalized institution. It has been affected by global forces, and by the interpretations of organizational members to both global forces and to the responses of intermediaries. Globalization as a process finds an outlet within the community college where economic, cultural, and technological behaviors are advanced along lines consistent with and supportive of globalization. Furthermore, government actions have directed community colleges to respond and adapt to a global economy. In this book, seven community colleges are examined to demonstrate organizational change in the 1990s precipitated by globalization.

'As it is thought of primarily as a local institution, one might not think that the community college would be affected significantly by globalization. However, in a path breaking study in two countries, Professor Levin shows that the community college has been affected in profound and diverse ways by the forces of globalization. In addition to dissecting the impacts of globalization, this book also provides such valuable insights into the organizational dynamics of community colleges that it is a must read for anyone interested in the management of community colleges.' - Michael L. Skolnik

The William G. Davis Chair in Community College Leadership, University of Toronto

'As John Levin demonstrates, globalization and academic capitalism are as pervasive in community colleges as in universities, and the two are re-shaping the mission of the community college as well as the opportunities available to students. Community colleges are entrepreneurial actors on a global stage, trading in international students, marketers of global educational products, and markets for multinational corporations. This book is a break-through in community college scholarship, moving beyond the boundaries of college, state and nation, and into issues of organization of knowledge at two year schools in a global economy.' - Sheila Slaughter and Larry Leslie, authors of Academic Capitalism: Politics, Policies and the Entrepreneurial University

'Levin's design and approachare sound and sufficiently documented to lend support to the findings in this book.' - Educational Researcher

'...among those who care about the role and future of community colleges, Levin's work belongs on your shelf.' - Chad M. Hanson, The Journal of Higher Education

'...an important work...' - Susan Salvador, Journal of College Student Development

JOHN S. LEVIN is a professor of higher education in the Center for the Study of Higher Education at the University of Arizona. He is a former community college administrator and instructor. He has published widely both in the U.S. and Canada, addressing topics such as the presidency, governance, management, leadership, and organizational change. In 2000, the Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education presented him with the Research Award for his work on Canadian higher education.