A community college serves the many needs of the community from technical, to social, to academic in a way larger universities can't.
Community colleges serve a vital role in the economic and social well-being of a community. Tuition is lower than private universities which makes them accessible to a larger portion of the community. With the condition of public education these days it is difficult for graduating seniors to even get into a larger university whithout doing remedial classes. It's a sad state of affairs which is why community colleges are serving a more important role than ever. Students who can't qualify for entrance into a university or are not motivated to continue their education are left with very few options. What skills do they have when they leave high school? Practically none. Shop classes and other trade related classes are the first to go when funding is cut so students are left ill-equipped to go to a university and unskilled to enter the work force. They're left with minimum wage jobs if they're lucky and can live at home, or they're out on the street trying to make it any way they can. Community colleges offer job training, night classes, and opportunity. In the Salinas Valley Hartnell College is the answer for students looking to knock out their under-grad work at home before moving on to a 4-year university, it's where adults go to learn a new skill for a new career, it's where employers turn to find skilled employees, it's where employers like myself turn to send employees for the education that will help our business grow. Hartnell can contribute to economic stability, serve our academic needs, and improve our social fabric by giving our youth the skills they need to become successful instead of turning to violece and gangs. If we want to make this a better city we need to start with Hartnell College.
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