Working Together

How Community Colleges and Their Partners Help Immigrants Succeed

Edited by Jill Casner-Lotto - With Teresita B. Wisell

Community colleges serve as a critical gateway to English-language instruction, higher education, workforce training, and civic engagement for many immigrants and refugees looking to gain an economic foothold in the labor market and integrate into the social fabric of their communities. Coming from various walks of life with different goals and aspirations, immigrants and refugees have turned to community colleges to help them further their education, prepare for citizenship, or launch new careers. At a time when our nation is facing bitter political divides over its immigration policies and gridlock at the federal level, this book tells a different story: It showcases the exemplary initiatives of community colleges and their partners working together at local and state levels to integrate immigrants and refugees into the economic, social, and cultural fabric of our communities and our country, and it illustrates the various ways immigrant and refugee students enrich campus life, strengthen communities, and benefit our economy.

This book focuses on two key components of successful immigrant and refugee integration: multisector partnerships that have been essential for increasing immigrant and refugee students’ college and career readiness and assuring their transition to further education, training, or jobs; and strategies related to replicating and scaling best-practice models and the policy implications involved.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers / American Assn of Community Colleges

Pages: 178 • Trim: 6¼ x 9½

978-1-4758-5253-0 • Hardback • October 2019 • $99.00 • (£76.00)

978-1-4758-5254-7 • Paperback • October 2019 • $51.00 • (£39.00)

978-1-4758-5255-4 • eBook • October 2019 • $48.50 • (£37.00)

Subjects: Education / Inclusive Education, Education / Higher, Education / Multicultural Education, Education / Current Issues

Working Together

How Community Colleges and Their Partners Help Immigrants Succeed

Hardback

Paperback

eBook

Summary

Community colleges serve as a critical gateway to English-language instruction, higher education, workforce training, and civic engagement for many immigrants and refugees looking to gain an economic foothold in the labor market and integrate into the social fabric of their communities. Coming from various walks of life with different goals and aspirations, immigrants and refugees have turned to community colleges to help them further their education, prepare for citizenship, or launch new careers. At a time when our nation is facing bitter political divides over its immigration policies and gridlock at the federal level, this book tells a different story: It showcases the exemplary initiatives of community colleges and their partners working together at local and state levels to integrate immigrants and refugees into the economic, social, and cultural fabric of our communities and our country, and it illustrates the various ways immigrant and refugee students enrich campus life, strengthen communities, and benefit our economy.

This book focuses on two key components of successful immigrant and refugee integration: multisector partnerships that have been essential for increasing immigrant and refugee students’ college and career readiness and assuring their transition to further education, training, or jobs; and strategies related to replicating and scaling best-practice models and the policy implications involved.

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers / American Assn of Community Colleges

Pages: 178 • Trim: 6¼ x 9½

978-1-4758-5253-0 • Hardback • October 2019 • $99.00 • (£76.00)

978-1-4758-5254-7 • Paperback • October 2019 • $51.00 • (£39.00)

978-1-4758-5255-4 • eBook • October 2019 • $48.50 • (£37.00)

Subjects: Education / Inclusive Education, Education / Higher, Education / Multicultural Education, Education / Current Issues

Author

Jill Casner-Lotto serves as director of the Community College Consortium for Immigrant Education (CCCIE), where she oversees research, communications, and policy development. She is the author of several CCCIE reports and articles providing best practices and resources to guide colleges in implementing immigrant/refugee education and workforce programs focused on ESL integrated career pathways, holistic student support services, and community-based, cross-sector partnerships.

Teresita B. Wisell is executive director of CCCIE and serves as vice president of workforce development and community education at Westchester Community College, part of the State University of New York. In 2014, the White House recognized Ms. Wisell as a Champion of Change for her contributions to workplace citizenship programs.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Walter Bumphus, President and CEO, American Association of Community Colleges

Preface

Teresita B. Wisell, Vice President, Workforce Development and Community Education, and Executive Director, Community College Consortium for Immigrant Education, Westchester Community College

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Jill Casner-Lotto, Director, Community College Consortium for Immigrant Education, Westchester Community College

Part I: Meaningful, Multi-Sector Partnerships: Building a Community of Support On and Off Campus

Chapter 1: Foreign-Trained Talent for Local Jobs: The Skilled Immigrant Project at Howard Community College

Jeff Gross, Policy Consultant, World Education Services

Chapter 2: The Roots of Our Story: The Latino Leadership and College Experience Camp

Erin Howard, Director of Latino Outreach and Global Learning, and James Fenton, Associate Professor in Humanities, Bluegrass Community and Technical College

Chapter 3: Building Retail Career Pathways for the New American Workforce
Jennie Murray, Director, Integration Programs, and Ana Negoescu, Manager, Integration Programs, National Immigration Forum

Chapter 4: Empowering Student Scholars, Activists, and Advocates for Social Change
Jeannett Manzanero, Director, Dr. Kathryn W. Davis Global Education Center, Palm Beach State College

A Reflective Narrative: How Community Colleges Can Reframe the Immigration Narrative

Denzil Mohammed, Director, Public Education Institute, The Immigrant Learning Center

Part II: Scaling Our Initiatives: Strategies and Policy Implications for Program Replication and Building a Field

Chapter 5: Washington’s I-DEA: Increasing Equity for English-Language Learners
Jodi Ruback, Program Administrator, William S. Durden, Policy Associate, and Jon Kerr, Director, Basic Education for Adults, Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges

Chapter 6: ALLIES—Partnerships That Promote English Learner Success in College, Career, and the Community

Jenny Castello, ESL Professor Emeritus, Cañada College, and ALLIES Board Member, and Ilse Pollett, Executive Director, ALLIES

Chapter 7: How Community Colleges Can Serve Immigrant Professionals

Jeff Gross, Policy Consultant, World Education Services

Chapter 8: Creating Career Pathways for All Oregonians

Kate Kinder, Career Pathways Director, and Marc Goldberg, Associate Vice President for Workforce Development and Community Education, Portland Community College

A Reflective Narrative: English Plus Integration: Shifting the Instructional Paradigm for Immigrant Adult Learners to Succeed

Margie McHugh, Director, and Catrina Doxsee, Research Assistant, National Center on Immigrant Integration Policy, Migration Policy Institute

Conclusion

Jill Casner-Lotto, Director, Community College Consortium for Immigrant Education, Westchester Community College

Afterword

Suzette Brooks Masters, Consultant on Immigration and Immigrant Integration Issues

About the Editors

About the Contributors

Index

Reviews

Working Together is the second volume in this companion series, chronicling the importance of strategic partnerships to foster career success and community stewardship among immigrant populations at community colleges. Each chapter recounts the opportunities and challenges community colleges face as they “address emerging economic and workforce challenges” (p. 3) while supporting the diverse needs of immigrants who are navigating the communities where they live and work. This study details how community colleges are the fabric of their communities and can be used as a resource for immigrants as they adjust to new lives in the US. Contributors further emphasize that community colleges are well positioned to maintain innovative and multi-sector partnerships that include programmatic funding and training to help immigrants develop workforce skills. Importantly, the stories recounted here highlight the spectrum of immigrant students, from those learning foundational workforce skills to those who are highly educated and looking to transition into the American workforce. Case studies and practical advice encourage practitioners to sustain initiatives that will support academic and career success for immigrant populations, as the collection describes how to successfully replicate and scale immigrant initiatives. Summing Up: Recommended. All levels.

— Choice Reviews

The Community College Consortium for Immigrant Education has provided a significant set of resources with the publication of the companion books, Working Towardan Equitable and Prosperous Future For All: How Community Colleges and Immigrants Are Changing America and Working Together: How Community Colleges and Their Partners Help Immigrants Succeed. Community colleges are the natural choice for immigrants to learn the skills needed to adapt to a new environment and to become successful contributors to American society and our economy. These companion books, written by experienced community college leaders, provide valuable information to assist our colleges to develop and strengthen programs for this important group of students.
— George R. Boggs Ph.D, Superintendent/ President Emeritus, Palomar College; President and CEO Emeritus, American Association of Community Colleges; Chair, Phi Theta Kappa Board of Directors

These books offer deep insight into the most promising, innovative models for addressing barriers to economic opportunity for immigrants and English language learners and understanding how partnerships can help strengthen, sustain, and replicate this work. You could spend the next few years traveling across the country to meet these thought leaders and see their programs in action. Or you can acquire the knowledge from the frontlines in this two-volume compendium.
— Peter Gonzales, President and CEO of Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians

This publication highlights effective community college partnerships, policies and programs that support immigrant and refugee students. Community colleges across the country act as the bridge to the middle class and careers with economic mobility. Community college leaders committed to equitable student success can benefit greatly from the promising practices in this CCCIE publication, including the chapter on the Oregon Career Pathways framework.
— Mark Mitsui, President, Portland Community College, Portland, OR

As America’s workforce continues to diversify, community colleges are a critical provider of skills and opportunities for immigrants and refugees seeking to realize their fullest potential. The expertise and vision found in the pages of Working Together: How Community Colleges and Their Partners Help Immigrants Succeed will improve training opportunities and, in the end, help our newest citizens reach their American dream.
— Ali Noorani, Executive Director, National Immigration Forum, Washington, DC

Working Together: How Community Colleges and Their Partners Help Immigrants Succeed demonstrates how partnerships are crucial to strengthening communities and local and regional economies. The case studies demonstrate practical solutions to challenges--what makes programs and partnerships work, but also what hasn't worked and how to address challenges. We learn how campuses and communities recognize immigrants and refugees as valued assets, enhancing the diversity of college campuses and contributing to the cultural vibrancy of our communities.
— Carola Bracco, Executive Director, Neighbors Link, Mt. Kisco, NY

In the 21^st century global knowledge economy, the only ticket to a middle class and a prosperous life is a post-secondary degree. At community and state colleges across the country, innovative and trend-setting initiatives and partnerships are full force ahead to ensure all individuals succeed, especially those who are new to our country. This book highlights the unique role these partnerships play in the growth and development of our communities, so that everyone has access to an equitable and prosperous future.
— Eduardo J. Padrón Ph.D., President, Miami Dade College