This year, nearly 16 million students will attend more than 4,000 colleges and universities in the United States. Close to home, Clark College and Washington State University Vancouver will serve about 15,000 students in the 2007-2008 academic year. While many of these students are recent high school graduates, the majority are returning to school for either career change or to enhance their credentials in order to advance in their current professions. Either way, their education and training will be paramount to their success in the impact on the well-being of their employers, and ultimately sustaining a robust economy in Southwest Washington.
There are many factors that affirm the mutually beneficial partnerships between corporations and higher education entities. Colleges and universities offer well-rounded education by instructors who are specialized in their fields. The opportunities for application of classroom learning to hands-on training, continuing education, and workforce development are unsurpassed. Regardless of the costs involved, it is still less expensive than if every company was to provide its own comprehensive training for its employees. For example, a Clark College student pays about $3,000 in tuition and fees per academic year. If enrolled in a vocational or allied health program, the student would pay an additional $1,500 to $2,500 per year for tools, equipment and other program-related fees. Only the sophisticated infrastructure, facilities and instruction within a college setting can support such a large scope of academic programming.
Simultaneously, corporate entities support higher education in a variety of ways. For some students, obtaining the experiential requisites of their chosen field of study is only made possible through paid and unpaid internships. For instance, allied health students at Clark College must complete a certain number of practicum hours at hospitals and clinics in order to qualify for graduation. At some institutions, corporate insight is sought actively for program design and improvement. Individuals from industry are invited to serve on advisory committees and provide guidance to educators. In doing so, the curriculum will be comprised of courses that will directly correspond to the needs of industry in educating the next generation of employees. Through such a model, the college graduates are poised for employment, and the businesses are guaranteed a well-prepared workforce. A win for all indeed.
The reciprocal relationship, for all the above-mentioned reasons and more, continues to grow between higher education and corporate America. Research by the Policy Studies Institute demonstrates that donations from corporations to champion student success is on the same level as corporate giving toward academic research and development, program support, academic staffing, event sponsorships and in-kind gifts.
The hundreds of named scholarships awarded to students at Clark College and WSUV by corporate entities also attest to the intent of our local business leaders to foster student success through nurturing the development and celebrating the accomplishments of every student. Through direct support to the individual, corporate leaders are promoting the concept of “paying it forward,” planting the seed for future philanthropy.
As we embark on another academic year, I foresee a more pronounced need for corporate support. My anticipation is appeased in knowing that we have many benevolent champions in our community who appreciate and support higher education.
Ara Serjoie is the vice president of development at the Clark College Foundation.
