Equity and Opportunity

By Diane C. Cordero De Noriega

Currently the student population at MPC is not a reflection of the population of our peninsula. How does MPC need to change in order to address our changing demographics?

The community Monterey Peninsula College serves, based on U.S. Census data from 2000, can be described in the following terms. Major and significant growth is projected for the communities of Seaside and Marina, These communities are also significantly more diverse than Monterey, Pacific Grove or Carmel. The population of Seaside and Marina is also younger, less educated and has more citizens who speak languages other than English.

According to MPC's Office of Institutional Research, the student body at MPC today does not reflect the diversity of the community of the peninsula. For example, MPC reports that 5% of its students self-report as African American, while the communities of Seaside and Marina show 12%-14% of its population is African American. In 2000 Marina and Seaside reported 23%-35%of their population as Hispanic, respectively. However, MPC shows just 13% of its students as Latino.With regard to age and education, MPC's numbers show that 55% of its students are over 30 and 36% of their students already have a B.A. or A.A. degree.

I point out these data, not to be critical of MPC, but to highlight the future challenges and opportunities for the college. As our population changes and becomes more diverse, we must be prepared to address its needs. MPC will need to reach out to a diverse community that is younger, leaving high school underprepared, and still developing English language skills. As our community changes, so must MPC. Monterey Peninsula College represents Opportunity for the future of our community. Students who graduate from high school underprepared for the skills required in today's world of work need MPC. Students who want to go on to higher education need MPC. Citizens who are life long learners will always need MPC. The role our community college plays is more important than ever before.