Throughout their existence, community colleges have been given “snarky” nicknames or been referred to as someone’s “second” or “last choice,” according to Dr. Steve Robinson, president of Owens Community College.
There has also been a presumption that two-year schools offer easier or less demanding courses as well as provide fewer opportunities for student engagement, student life or athletic participation than at four-year institutions.
“Anyone that’s spent time around an open-admissions two-year school knows that it’s just not true,” said Robinson.
He sought to change those “pejorative” and “outdated” views on community colleges through a social media campaign.
“We think it’s time to give a more accurate view of what community and technical colleges do,” said Robinson.
The campaign, #EndCCStigma, started in February. Since its launch, the initiative has not only become well known in Ohio but also across the United States. Robinson’s followers on Twitter grew from 400 to over 1,300.
“What’s great about the campaign is that it’s pretty easy to show the truth, the reality about their local community college,” said Robinson.
