By Karen Boudreau-Shea Declining enrollment and changing demographics have created a new reality for community colleges across the nation. Now, more than ever, student retention is key to strengthening enrollment. But retaining students isn’t the responsibility of one person or department; rather, everyone must work together to create an academic atmosphere that supports students as they navigate the college’s processes and procedures.

Arriving back home after an awesome CCBO Annual Conference in New Orleans left me energized and eager to continue the learning and discussions. It’s no news that enrollment is down at community colleges across the US. While this was certainly part of the conversation at CCBO last month, what was refreshing and inspiring to me was that it was only a small part of the conversation. We did not focus on enrollment numbers. We did not focus on budget cuts. We instead focused on opportunities that community college leaders can embrace.

What an honor it is to be able to serve CCBO and you, my colleagues, my friends, as President of our great organization for the coming year. Since the very first time I became involved with CCBO in 2012, beginning with the Leadership Academy, I have known this organization is special because it is the only national/international organization that serves exclusively the specific needs of community college business officers. As the chief business officer of a small community college, I am privileged to interact directly with our students daily, so our mission statement really "fits" for me: "We transform lives by empowering community colleges with the knowledge and skills essential for collaboration and sustainability." I get to see the lives we, as community colleges, impact and transform into more skilled, educated, and productive citizens. As business officers, we are, or should be, the leaders our campuses rely on to grow our institutions, and I am not speaking only in financial terms. Thank you for serving your institution.

Lumina Foundation is investing nearly $6 million in a new effort to better leverage community collaboration in preparing high school students to go to college and earn a credential — with community colleges playing an important role. (Community College Daily)

The devastating wildfires of Northern California have prompted at least three community colleges to close through Saturday and Sunday, with a handful of other two-year colleges closing for a day because of poor air quality as a result of the fires. (Community College Daily)

Professors fear an ambitious systemwide merger plan is rushed, but system president argues it is necessary amid tight budgets and declining enrollment at Wisconsin's two-year colleges. (Inside Higher Ed)

Are you doing something innovative on your campus? Do you have an idea for an engaging article? CCBO is looking for community college business experts to write articles to submit to the Bottom Line. Submit an article today! Contact the CCBO National Office at info@ccbo.org or (434) 293-2825.

As a volunteer-driven association, CCBO relies heavily on the expertise and time of those who serve on standing committees. Much of the work is accomplished via monthly conference calls and results in the planning and execution of successful annual conferences, creation of professional development programs, strong membership recruitment campaigns, development of future budgets, selection of the Association’s award winners, and much more.
 
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