Make Community College Admissions Family Friendly

In my family, education was always a priority, right up there with self-improvement, caring for others and honesty. It was value my parents endorsed daily to me and my siblings like a church pastor lecturing the congregation.

Going back to my senior year in high school, I didn’t have all the pieces together. It wouldn’t be until midway through college that I could really recognize the importance of future planning. 

In early May of my high school senior year, my mother had asked about my plans after high school. I thought to myself for a few minutes and was reminded my older sister had gone off to a university outside Portland, Oregon.

“I guess I’ll go to college somewhere,” I respond to my mom.

“Ok, where do you want to go,” she questioned me.

“Can I go where Amanda went?”

“No, you need to do your own thing. Besides, you don’t want to be at school with your sister.”

Hindsight being 20/20, I now see the importance of creating your own path.

Then, my mother chimed in with her loving words of a harsh reality. “Hing, you’re going to a community college.” She then brought up the fact it was important for me to start creating a plan. In one day, I went from no real post-high school plan to having a college to-do list: apply to a college, find a job at said college, submit a FAFSA, register for classes, and apply for student housing. What did I just get myself into? 

With some guidance, I submitted my first FAFSA. Then we made a list of several community colleges to check out in the area. Ultimately, I chose Edmonds Community College (Edmonds CC) in Lynnwood, Washington. North of Seattle by about 30 minutes, it boasted a diverse student population, including students from over 60 countries, and an inclusive campus that encouraged engagement, the student voice and a educational development through a holistic experience. I knew this was the place for me.

Fast forward four years later. I had graduated Edmonds CC with my Associates Degree, served as a Resident Assistant, and had worked full-time – all at Edmonds CC. Now it was time to move on and transfer to a university. But where?

All that hard work and here I was back at the beginning. My mind quickly filled up with anxiety, my heart felt pressure and my stomach floated with butterflies. But, just like before, my parents would swoop in to keep my head on a swivel. But, they made sure that whatever I decided, it would be my decision. They acted solely as my “transfer counselors” – and helped me to see what each university could offer me.

Ultimately, I transferred to Boise State University in Idaho. The school offered amazing support as I began the transfer process. The tools and resources available at Boise State were detailed, yet not overwhelming. The Admissions Office offered me sound advice and encouragement through the whole process. The university’s New Student & Family Programs Office made sure I knew about their new student orientation for transfer students and how it would help me get connected to campus resources and student services. They even offered support for my parents at the orientation, welcoming them as new Bronco parents. With all this support, I knew I had made the right decision.

Contrasting the community college new student experience with that of a university, l reflect on vast differences when it came to offering support for new students and their families. I feel like both experiences reflect the difference cultures between two-year and four-year institutions.

Community colleges express a shortage of resources and staff availability when it comes to support for families of new students. Family members are welcome to attend campus visits and tours and be part of their student’s experience as they begin to enroll. But there is no specific parent-family orientation or information session to inform parents about the campus culture, student services and available resources for parents while their student is enrolled. During the admissions process, you could say the community college leans on the student’s parent(s) or family at the same time the student may lean on those same people. The parent-family is being sandwiched.

At the university level, it’s a different story. The scope is intentional on inviting the student’s family and friends to join in the admissions process and continues on throughout the student’s time at that university. There are even specific offices whose sole focus is to incorporate families into the campus community, whether in-state or out of state, and provide them family support. When I applied to transfer to Boise State University, I was quickly connected with their New Student & Family Programs Office, who oversees new student and family orientations. There were clear intentions that it wasn’t just me Boise State worked hard to welcome, they also welcomed my family.

Granted, at the community college level, there is the notion that those students choose to attend because it’s what they can get or because they just don’t have the access to a university. Community colleges are content with this and know that enrollment will be there. Especially thanks to the 2009 recession. However, the market is improving. In the few years after the recession, the American Association of Community College show national enrollment trends at two-year schools are on the decline. Now there is a sense of urgency to regain those enrollment numbers, in part because state definitions of FTE (full time enrollment) numbers heavily influence how much state funds that college will receive. My suggestions – make the admissions process family friendly.

Today, I have the unique privilege of finding myself back at Edmonds Community College, working as an Admissions Specialist. I have the opportunity to change the culture here. I intend use my personal experience to my advantage, as I work with the Admissions team to revamp the student experience throughout the admissions process.

Several things are on the table, including a revamped student on-boarding experience that starts with a campus visit all the way to orientation, with each step incorporating something for parents and family members. Additionally, I serve on the NASPA Region V Parent & Family Relations Knowledge Community, where we work to explore positive practices that benefit the whole family with the student.

I’m excited to see where this journey takes me. There’s a hunger to make a real change that I have in my heart. By this time next year, my hope is to break the tip the ice on what our admissions programs can do for students AND their families.

Hing Potter is currently on his second tour at Edmonds Community College, this time as an Admissions and Outreach Specialist. Previously, Hing has worked in Residence Life at Edmonds CC, New Student and Family Programs and Admissions at Boise State University and Student Life at College of Western Idaho. To maintain self-care, Hing enjoys weekend camping trips and hikes, civic engagement opportunities, volunteering and re-runs of The West Wing. Feel free to connect with Hing on Twitter and Instagram. You can also follow his personal blog, 13^th Street.