Erasing the Stigma of Community College Education | Hurshel B. Burton III | TEDxMountainViewCollege

Summary

Dr. Hirschl Burton passionately advocates for community colleges, emphasizing their value as a first-choice educational option. He challenges misconceptions, highlighting their affordability, diversity, and potential for success. Through personal stories and examples of notable community college graduates, Burton underscores the importance of embracing these institutions, not as a fallback but as a legitimate path for personal and professional growth. He calls for a shift in perspective, urging society to support students choosing community colleges and to recognize their transformative power in shaping global citizens.

Takeaways

• 😀 Dr. Hirschl Burton is a scholar, musician, and change agent, and he passionately advocates for community colleges and the removal of stigmas surrounding them.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes that community colleges are often a misunderstood and underrated path to higher education.
• 😀 Community colleges are not only for students who cannot get into four-year schools but are often the first choice due to their affordability, proximity, and course offerings.
• 😀 The speaker shared his own personal journey, attending over 18 schools, learning from misdirection, and ultimately finding his purpose in teaching at a community college.
• 😀 Many students may feel lost in deciding which college to attend, but community colleges can provide a clear and supportive roadmap.
• 😀 A common misconception is that community college students cannot succeed. However, successful individuals like Tom Hanks and Gwendolyn Brooks prove that this path leads to achievement.
• 😀 Statistically, 41% of four-year graduates attended community college at some point, demonstrating its importance as a stepping stone in higher education.
• 😀 The average cost of attending a community college is much lower than a four-year university, making it a financially responsible option for many students.
• 😀 Community colleges offer not only vocational training but also opportunities for degrees in nursing, veterinary sciences, and even four-year programs in some areas.
• 😀 To help change the stigma around community colleges, it is crucial to support students who choose this route, emphasizing financial responsibility and long-term thinking.
• 😀 The speaker calls for society to embrace and support the community college experience, helping to remove the stigmas and see it as a legitimate and valuable educational option.

Q & A

What is Dr. Hirschl Burton's main message about community colleges?

Dr. Hirschl Burton's main message is to erase the stigmas associated with community colleges and to highlight their value as a viable, respected educational path for many students. He stresses that community colleges provide an accessible and affordable option for education that can lead to successful careers.

How does Dr. Hirschl Burton relate to the experience of community college students?

Dr. Hirschl Burton relates to community college students by sharing his own experience of moving between 18 different schools and struggling to find his direction. His journey included attending prestigious universities and accumulating debt, which contrasts with the success stories of those who started at community colleges.

What exercise does Dr. Hirschl Burton use to illustrate a point about direction?

Dr. Hirschl Burton uses an exercise where he asks the audience to close their eyes, point to the sky with conviction, and then point west. The purpose of the exercise is to demonstrate how people, like students choosing a college, often feel lost or uncertain about which direction to take.

What is the significance of Dr. Hirschl Burton's personal story involving TC, Lumpy, and himself?

The personal stories of TC, Lumpy, and Dr. Hirschl Burton illustrate different paths to success. TC chose community college and worked his way up, Lumpy chose a local college and became successful, while Dr. Hirschl Burton took on significant debt by attending a prestigious university but struggled to find his purpose. The story highlights that success can come from different educational choices.

What are some myths about community colleges that Dr. Hirschl Burton addresses?

Dr. Hirschl Burton addresses three common myths: 1) Community colleges are only for people who cannot get into four-year schools, 2) Community colleges are only for vocational skills, and 3) Going to community college means you won't amount to anything. He debunks these by providing facts and examples of successful individuals who attended community colleges.

Why does Dr. Hirschl Burton stress the importance of supporting community colleges?

Dr. Hirschl Burton stresses the importance of supporting community colleges because they provide accessible education for a wide range of students, including those who might not afford a four-year university. He believes that changing societal attitudes toward community colleges can help provide opportunities for more students to succeed.

What statistics does Dr. Hirschl Burton provide to emphasize the value of community colleges?

Dr. Hirschl Burton shares several statistics, including that 41% of all four-year graduates attended community colleges, 33% of first-generation college-goers start at community colleges, and the average cost for one year at a community college is significantly lower than that of a four-year institution. He uses these figures to highlight the affordability and accessibility of community colleges.

How does Dr. Hirschl Burton encourage people to view community colleges?

Dr. Hirschl Burton encourages people to view community colleges as a positive and valuable educational option. He asks the audience to support individuals who choose community college by congratulating them on making the right decision, and to help erase the stigma that still surrounds this educational path.

What role do community colleges play in creating a global citizen, according to Dr. Hirschl Burton?

Dr. Hirschl Burton explains that community colleges contribute to creating global citizens by attracting international students and providing a microcosm of the global community. He suggests that the diversity in community colleges enriches the learning experience for everyone and helps build a better understanding of the world.

What cultural reference does Dr. Hirschl Burton make to emphasize the importance of community colleges?

Dr. Hirschl Burton references the band Rush, particularly their song 'Witch Hunt,' to emphasize how both community colleges and the band were marginalized and stigmatized. He argues that, just like Rush, community colleges are often misunderstood and that it’s important to change these perceptions for the better.