At a time when the problems and challenges of higher education make headlines every day, and when so many students struggle to earn their degrees, community colleges quietly get the job done for millions of people. Haven’t they earned a little more respect than they usually get? Instructor Brian Goedde of Community College of Philadelphia thinks so, and he proposes a small plan with tremendous potential benefits in this May 2016 article in the New York Times.
Read it here: Goedde, “Talk to us, Mr. President“
- Why does Goedde want President Obama to give the commencement address at a community college? Why does Goedde think that an address by Obama would matter so much? Point to specific passages from his essay to support your response.
- While Goedde is enthusiastic in his praise of President Obama’s support for community colleges, he mentions criticism of the President in two places in his essay. How does he present these criticisms? Which of the template suggestions in Chapter 1 of your text comes closest to showing the ways in which Goedde uses those They Say moves? Explain your reasoning.
- Chapter 7 of your text addresses how authors establish the importance of what they are writing. What does Goedde do in this essay to answer the “So what?” and “Who cares?” questions. Point to specific examples to support your conclusion.
- Do you know who has given the last few commencement addresses at your school? When your graduation day comes, you will likely (and justifiably) be more excited about your own accomplishment than about the identity of the commencement speaker. Still, a commencement address can be memorable and exciting, adding tremendous flavor to an already grand day. If you could choose, who would you select as your commencement speaker? Why? Explain your reasoning. (You may want to listen to a few notable commencement addresses on YouTube to help you think about the question.)
- Goedde relates several examples of the lack of school pride shown by community college students; for example, students who wear shirts or caps of nearby large universities or who deliberately avoid saying where they study. Are you proud of your school? Why or why not? To what extent does your school’s prestige in the community influence how much pride you feel? Do you think your academic success is linked in any way to how much pride you feel for your school? Why or why not? Based on your own personal experience and observations, do you agree with Goedde’s argument that community colleges merit more respect? Write an essay addressing these questions, using Goedde’s argument about community colleges as your They Say.
They Say I Blog 
I do agree with what is being stated in this article. Community college is being looked at by other people like it is not such a great big deal. It is not being respected as they should be. People tend to compare in their minds the differences there are between community college and a University. When thinking about the differences people make their opinions about which one sounds better. However, in reality, one is not better than the other one. Community college provides people with more time to decide what they want to major in. They also have courses to help you find what you want to major in. Community college is less expensive than a university. It is more affordable to attend community college first. That does not mean that community colleges are not good enough or should be over looked. Community college is still a source of accomplishment. It is the first step to take in order to prepare yourself for your future career. The problem is that people tend to look at community college as an alternative for people who were unable to attend a four year university. That is completely untrue. There are some people that prefer to attend a community college for the certain degree they want for their career. Some people do not need to attend a university. Community college has a varying amount of classes to choose from. They also have smaller class sizes, that is better. Obama was a very respected president. I believe that if Obama ever got the chance to speak out at a community college, I feel that the colleges will get more positive attention. They would be looked at as they should and deserve. The unnecessary negative views about the alternative of attending community college will be minimal.
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Goedde want President Barack Obama to speak at a community college commencement ceremony because it will show that he supports community colleges and that Obama thinks that community college’s are the best option for your first two years attending a college. Community colleges are a great option because tuition is low and you are able to transfer after getting your basic general requirement classes done. This will help you focus on your classes that “matter” to get whatever degree your pursuing. In the article it points out that Obama refers to community colleges as “undervalued assets”, and “unsung heroes of America’s education system” this is why Goedde would appreciate Obama speaking at community college commencement ceremonies. It also shows that community colleges matter in comparison to top Ivy League schools such as Harvard and Brown. It also states that if Obama spoke at community college graduation ceremonies it will give students pride as well as an identity. I agree with Lauren E that all young people should have access to free education and that community college is the best way to start.
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I agree with Mr. Goedde that community colleges deserve more credit than they current receive. The looks we receive as a school, people that believe it is equivalent to a high school, or the assumption that it is any easier than a four-year university is just untrue. A professor on any campus has the potential to be as difficult, if not more difficult than some universities, and that goes for classes as well. I believe it solely depends on the person’s opinion on what determines difficulty within a classroom. Aside from the level of difficulty, however, and the comments from either types of school, I cannot agree more on how useful it is in general. Not only can people take introductory classes, transfer to a four-year after getting their education at nearly 1/3 of the price, it also helps others who do not have as much time to dedicate to school. So many of these are scenarios in which community colleges are the best place to go, or at least the most convenient. Take with it the boost Goedde talks about, where we look at school in a more positive light, no matter the category the school may belong to, an education is an education. I wish I had this opinion about community colleges before I started to attend one. All we can hope for is that this pride that people take at top-private institutions, people will bring it to the community colleges that drive the start of many people’s careers, educations, and opportunities they would not get otherwise if the educational system was solely comprised of only four-years and schools, or trade schools. The only thing I am skeptical on is the notion that community colleges be free. An argument I typically hear is if they were to take away the price tag on a public institute like this, would it still have the same quality?
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To start off, Geodde wants President Obama to give the commencement address at a community college because this would help show other Americans that community college is not beneath them and to seek a higher education than a high school diploma. “I would say I’m proud of myself for going here, but I wouldn’t say I’m proud of the school” (New York Times, Brian Geodde). Although students who attend a community college go there for their higher forms of education, many are embarrassed of going to community colleges due to community college being seen as lower. Through President Obama going to a community college graduation to give the commencement address, many Americans may take the first steps to working on their education once again.
I believe that community college has a lot to offer for people in the United States who are seeking a higher form of education. Through seeking a higher form of education through community college, people can enroll to an affordable college and if they are lucky, the credits from the community college are transferable to another college meaning that students can take courses for a far more affordable price and transfer the college credits over to another college. Community college often has smaller classes making learning from a professor easier. Community college has given me and many other students chances at being able to afford classes without being in major debt after their first year out of high school. President Obama giving his commencement address at a community college could benefit the entire country as well as the lives of many who have come to America for higher education.
Finally, I am proud of the community college I attend. It is a start to me living a better life in the future and is near to home. I do not believe that pride in the school you attend affects your learning or success although, I do think that it helps with mental health. Overall, I would have to agree with Geodde about President Obama giving the commencement address at a community college graduation. I say this because President Obama doing this could give people the boost and/or push they need to seek higher education and a better life in the future.
-Austin Wood
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This article grabbed my attention because I myself am a community college student and I sometimes I feel just as the students in the article do. There is a bad stigma of community colleges that has been perpetuated through out the years of the their existence and both the students who attend them and who attend four year universities feel it. The fact that the president thinks so highly of community colleges and has said good things about them is a step in a good direction. Goedde wants Obama to give a commencement address at a community college because it would show that the president has pride them and it will in turn give the students pride in themselves and shed a positive light on them swaying the public opinion. This claim could be supported by the accounts that Goedde makes about how people he talked to in his everyday life change what they had to say about community colleges and basically admitting to attending one themselves. I think if the president did a commencement at a community college that could be one of the best things to happen to them. Not only would it give students pride in the school they attend but it would also encourage people who are scared to go back to school because of the stigmas or just because they have been out of school for long. I think that is a very important thing to remember about any college a person may be enrolled in, for every person going to a “better’ school there is someone not in school at all. Our modern society has gotten bad when it comes to making things feel exclusive and ,in doing this, making a lot of people feel excluded. This is obviously a very bad problem, it already effects what people buy because we think that we should look a certain way, act a certain way and own certain things to give ourselves value. When this terrible mentality that promotes self loathing and egoism is applied to our school system then it is apparent just how bad things are. Aperson should not have to lie about where they are trying to receive a higher education from. Another thing that I find disturbing about the trend of devaluing community college is the fact that I’ve personally met a lot of people who attend big name four year universities who seem to have less intelligence than someone in community college. This goes back to the horrible stigma we have in our society, it’s the same thing as seeing someone with a nice car or expensive clothes in the way that they may own those things but their lives may be in complete shambles. I have yet to go to a four year university but I can say this, I feel like the courses I’ve taken in community college are just as difficult as the ones I’m going to take at a university and I think the fact that there are transferable credits gives merit to that.
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In recent discussions of community colleges, a controversial issue has been whether or not they were as President Obama calls them “unsung heroes of America’s education system”. Some argue that these colleges are for those who were unable to get into what others would call a “real” college. From this perspective, many are failing to understand why a student may have been unable to attend a “real” college. The reason for attending community college may not be due to lack of education but lack of resources. I agree with our former President that community colleges are unsung heroes. It provides an avenue for those financially limited as well as offers more intimate class settings. Because I agree with President Obama I also agree with Goedde in having him to give the commencement address at a community college. I believe Goedde wants this to boost school pride in community colleges nationally. Goedde thinks an address from the President would matter so much for students, such as the Iraq war veteran, in this article that spoke about the embarrassment of being a community college student.
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first off, I agree with when he said that some students are proud to be attending college, but aren’t proud of where they’re going. I completely understand, for the last few weeks of high school I was kind of embarrassed to tell people that I was going to a community college. I was afraid people would think that I wasn’t good enough to go to a real university. But now my thoughts have changed because I now see quite a few people I know at J.C.T.C. Another point is, you save so much money. I don’t understand why more people in our area don’t take this path, if they aren’t doing the UPS earn and learn program that is. I think it would be great if President Obama spoke at a community college graduation. Not only would it boost the moral of those attending community colleges all over the country, but it would also help more people that are going into college that there is a great way to continue their higher education at a lower cost.
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I believe that Geode wants President Obama to give the commencement address at a community college because his speech could empower many community college student’s. Geode does criticize the little process made in community colleges by mentioning how graduation rates are still low, and college does costs, but change does not happen over night. Graduation rates at community colleges does not solely rely on the president, but it is heavily influenced by the work ethic of professors, the cooperation of advisors and counselors, and the effort of students. Nonetheless, having the president make such an important speech at a community college, could change the stigma of community colleges and take away the demeaning “undervalued asset” that community colleges are seen to be.
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I agree with Goedde’s belief that there has been a stigma surrounding community colleges over the years, but that stigma is slowly becoming a thing of the past. Community colleges offers a quality yet affordable education that attracts students from all walks of life for various reasons. Some say their open door policy reduces the value of their student body however it gives many a second chance. From the young students who made mistakes during their freshman year to the older student who wasn’t ready for a manor university; everybody has an opportunity at a post secondary education through community colleges. Financially a degree from a local college is the only option. Traditionally, courses are less expensive than a major university, lowering the amount of debt students acquire. Community colleges frequently become an avenue for student athletes to advance to division one universities. It provides favorable conditions to develop their skills and the platform to to display those skills for recruiters. Finances, second chances, or athletics are just a few reasons why the community college system is no longer the blemish of post secondary education.
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Why does Goedde want President Obama to give the commencement address at a community college? Why does Goedde think that an address by Obama would matter so much? Point to specific passages from his essay to support your response.
Goedde wants President Obama to give the commencement address at a community college this spring because of the boost to school spirit it would give the students. As Goedde mentioned when he talked about the uplifted spirit of his classroom after the State of the Union address President Obama gave where he mentioned community colleges as America’s unsung heros. Up until then, Goedde told of a lack of pride in being students at a community college and the stigma that was associated with 2 year schools. He stated that there seemed to be a misconception that attending a 2 year school meant you couldn’t get into a 4 year college or university. This stigma is what Goedde sees as the real problem President Obama could help dispel. By speaking at a community college he could raise public perception of community colleges, giving the 2 year schools the respect they are truly due.
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I agree with Justin White that community colleges are a necessity in our society, a point that needs emphasizing since so many people still believe community college is only for people who can’t get in or afford a four- year university. I believe that our communities have created a stigmatism around students going to community college, when in some cases this is the smarter choice. For individuals going back to school, taking their core classes at home, or going into a profession that doesn’t need four years, community college is perfect. Not all families can pay the expense of a University education, and should have the option to go to a decent community college. I do not think community colleges should be free; considering public universities are not. The students who get scholarships or tuition reductions for universities or community colleges are the students who should be paying the lower prices. If community college was free, that would lessen the public value even more of those schools. My older sister went to community colleges multiple times to finish some of her degree and figure out what she wanted to do. That choice saved my parents a lot of money, as opposed to dropping out of a four- year university. Community colleges are a wonderful choice when needed and their education should not be viewed as anything less. These students should be proud of their school and the opportunities it has granted them.
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I agree with Brian Gozzo’s comment about Goedde’s article. As a senior in high school, I know peers who are ashamed that their path after high school includes community college. I agree with Goedde’s claim that community colleges have a “stigma of being a college for kids who couldn’t get into a real college.” If President Obama gave a speech I too believe it would boost the morale of community colleges and there attendees. I stand by Guzzo’s argument that with a commencement speech from the President, community colleges will grow in popularity and accomplishment with more people succeeding in them. These colleges are the back bone of the working class Americans who spent two years getting a degree then went straight into the work force. High school students should not be embarrassed that their next step in life is community college. President Obama should change the perspective and endorse them with a commencement speech.
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Community college students are proud that President Obama supports, and backs them. It keeps their spirits up, and makes them less worried being criticized. Goedde claims, “We may not have a fight song, but it has been extraordinary to have our president as our biggest cheerleader. This is what keeps the students positive, and seeking a community college degree. This quote to me is very significant in that it assures students of community colleges that they are just a important and recognized as larger university students.
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Goedde believes that by having the president of the United States speak at a community college graduation will greatly increase student pride in community colleges. Goedde says in this passage that his students overall thoughts on Obama’s speech about community colleges being unsung hero’s, were positive. In the article it is said there was some disagreement when Obama spoke about community colleges being as “universal as high schools.” So what community colleges don’t get the praise they deserve, who cares. Goedde shows the good community colleges are doing for their graduates and that the students and faculty care about the image their school is seen in. Commencement speeches are very interesting and having someone famous or influential speak would certainly make it for interesting and memorable. If i had to choose the person speaking at my commencement ceremony i would choose Donald Trump because of him fame status and influence but also because he could give a interestingly and funny speech. I believe it is important to be pride of the institution you go to wether it is a community college or a private college. It is important because you should be at the college you want to be at and want to show your pride for. As for Goedde’s argument on community colleges deserving more respect and recognition, I agree. If an institute is succeeding in having students graduate with high grades and getting jobs they should be given the credit they deserve.
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According to my own understandings, I strongly disagree that education shall be free to every student. When I read the articles I was really impressed that community college students tend to lack of school pride pretend to wear top universities shirts to show their prides so that they can avoid saying where they study and misunderstand people in general that they study at one of the top universities. It does not mean that they do not have chances to go to their dream schools at all. Education is key to succeed. There are many reasons why students cannot afford paying their institutions regarding that they are born in the poor family. It cannot be denied that community college is open to everyone which is why everyone deserves a chance to study and can even study when they get old. Knowledge is power. We have various purpose to learn different subjects, for example, we learn history so that we will not repeat the past. We understand that history can teach us knowledge about people in the past made mistakes so that we can avoid repeating them. We learn critical thinking so that we can act and think critically in our lives. We learn various knowledge in our lives so that we can perfectly apply all of the theories into our daily lives. It cannot be denied that knowledge is easy to throw away after learning them, however, if we keep learning knowledge for fun, if we show great interests in understanding various knowledge, then we will find it happy and habitual to take classes in community college. I think that Community College give everyone equal opportunities to seek out what they truly want. Community college provides many chances for those who never succeed in their lives to figure out what kind of things they shall do to help achieve their goals in their lives. I think community college can help people gain deep understandings of various knowledge and practical skills to help them live their lives better and better. That is why I completely disagree with the author.
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It is definitely true that community colleges don’t hold the same standard as big 4 year colleges. I think community colleges really are a wonderful thing and should definitely be taken advantage of for people who are serious about college but cannot afford to go to 4 year university. It is a little bit of a let-down feeling when I say I go to a community college, but at this point in my life, I am only worried about myself and my future so I don’t really care what anyone else has to say about it. I’m working toward a degree to better myself and if that means going to community college than so be it. Deep down I believe community college is a blessing because it is either a chance to start over, or a chance to accomplish something that you know will benefit you in the future.
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