1. Is it really “Worth It"?: A Case Study of Santa
Monica Community College - Global Studies
Associates Degree(A.A.) Program
By: Roy Y. Chan
Date: August 5, 2013

2. • Brief Literature Review
• Santa Monica College
– Mission Statement
– A.A. Global Studies
– Global Citizenship
– Demographics
– Enrollment
– Graduation Rates
• Results
• Discussion
• Recommendations
• Questions? Comments?
Outline

3. So, what is “global citizenship”?
"The great universities of the 21st century
will be those that have a global vision. The
challenge for us, as graduates and citizens,
is to understand the globalized world and to
engage with it….…we need, in a democracy,
to have informed global citizens."
~ Dr. Philip G. Altbach on May 11, 2013 at
Rivier University 78th Commencement

4. Wordle.com = “Global Citizenship”

5. Brief Literature Review
• Historically, U.S. community colleges have sent
students abroad since 1947 Truman Commission
Report; however, it was not until 2002 when the
IIE Open Door’s first reported community college
students studying abroad.
• Today, more than 50 percent of U.S.
undergraduate students are enrolled in a
community college.
– That’s about 10-12 million students (NCES,
2013).
• Yet, most graduates from U.S. community
colleges will likely not be given another chance to
study abroad, to learn with international peers,
and to test their own intercultural abilities after
their associate’s degree (Frost & Raby, 2009).

6. Only less than 1%! (Institute of International
Education – Open Door Report, 2012)

7. Brief Literature Review
• The American Association of Community Colleges
(AACC) recent 21st-Century Commission Report
stated: “It is important that community college
graduates, whatever their location, be not just
globally competitive but also globally competent,
understanding their roles as citizens and workers
in an international context” (AACC , 2012, p. 6).
• Unfortunately, less than 15 percent of U.S.
community colleges offer study abroad programs
(Frost & Raby, 2009).
So…HOW ARE WE GOING TO DO
EDUCATE STUDENTS TO BECOME
“GLOBAL CITIZENS”?

8. LET’S LOOK AT SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

9. So, why Santa Monica College?
• The ONLY community college in Southern
California to offer an associate’s degree in
Global Studies.
• Ranked number one for successful two-
year students transferring into four-year
bachelor’s degree program in California.
• The highest enrollment of two-year
students enrolled in California (about
34,000 students).
• Largest number of ‘Total International
Students’ pursuing an associate’s degree
in California.

10. But ranked 2nd with Number of International
Students (Institute of International Education
– Open Door Report, 2013)

11. Santa Monica College
Mission Statement
“Santa Monica College mission is to
provide a safe and inclusive learning
environment that encourages
personal and intellectual exploration,
and challenges and supports
students in achieving their
educational goals. Students learn to
contribute to the global community as
they develop an understanding of
their relationship to diverse social,
cultural, political, economic,
technological, and natural
environments. (College Navigator,
2013).”

12. Santa Monica College
Definition of Global Citizenship
“To be a global citizen, one is
knowledgeable of peoples,
customs and cultures in regions
of the world beyond one's own;
understands the
interdependence that holds both
promise and peril for the future of
the global community; and is
committed to combining one’s
learning with a dedication to
foster a livable, sustainable
world.” (http://www.smc.edu/GlobalCitizenship, 2013)

13. Santa Monica College
Mission Statement of Global Citizenship
Associate’s Degree Program
“The Global Citizenship A.A. program
seeks to develop an awareness of the
diversity of cultures within the United
States and/or an appreciation for the
interconnectedness of cultural, ecological,
economic, political, social and
technological systems of the
contemporary world. This prepares the
student to make a responsible
contribution to a rapidly changing global
society. The student must take a minimum
of three units in one of the following areas:
American Cultures, Ecological Literacy,
Global Studies, Service Learning or a
Santa Monica College Study Abroad
Experience” (http://www.smc.edu/GlobalCitizenship, 2013)

14. Santa Monica College
A.A. Requirements

15. Santa Monica College
General Background of Global Studies A.A.
Degree Program
• Established in Fall 2007
• Organize Annual Global Citizenship theme (i.e.,
13-14’: Peace and Security, 12-13’: Poverty and
Wealth, 11-12’: Health and Wellness, etc.)
• Organize Two-Week 6 unit Study Abroad to China
every summer (between Santa Monica College &
The Beijing Center for Chinese Studies)
– Program Cost = $4,800 USD
– SMC Scholarship Available = $500-2,000 USD
• Organize Annual Student Research Symposium
• Host Annual Summer Professional Development in
Beijing, China and Xi’an, China for faculty members
and staff over the summer
• Offers Mini Grants for faculty members and staff to
conduct projects at Santa Monica College during
the academic year

17. So the question arises:
is it really “Worth It”?
Let’s look at some data!

18. Santa Monica College
Enrollment
* Source: This data was generated by Roy Y. Chan on August 3,
2013 from the National Center for Education Statistics –
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

19. Santa Monica College
Enrollment by Ethnicity
* Source: This data was generated by Roy Y. Chan on August 3,
2013 from the National Center for Education Statistics –
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

20. Santa Monica College
Price of Tuition Per Year
* Source: This data was generated by Roy Y. Chan on August 3,
2013 from the National Center for Education Statistics –
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

21. Santa Monica College
Graduation Rates
* Source: This data was generated by Roy Y. Chan on August 3,
2013 from the National Center for Education Statistics –
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

22. Results
• Racial/Ethnic minority students are the most
represented group at Santa Monica College
(25,000+); yet, about 20% of them graduate on
time. With such low graduation rate, pursuing a
A.A. Degree in Global Studies may not be worth it
UNLESS he/she is on the right track to transfer
into a four-year institution.
• With price of tuition increasing annually at Santa
Monica College, persuading less privileged non-
traditional students to pursue study abroad will be
a daunting task for California community college
leaders UNLESS scholarships are fully provided.
– “For students who come from less privileged
backgrounds, getting to university is already
a hurdle. Getting abroad feels like extra.”
Dr. Nick Gozik on June 10, 2013 New York Times

23. Discussion
• Demographics are important indicators to
understand students intent to study
abroad; however, in reality, the levels of
cultural capital of each student will likely
determine their final decision to pursue
education abroad.
• From the data generated, privileged two-
year students (i.e., wealthy families,
educated parents, high cultural capital
parents, etc.) may find this program highly
beneficial for easy transfer admission into
a four-year bachelor’s degree program in
the field of International Studies and/or
Global Studies.

24. Recommendations
• Santa Monica College should encourage
other community colleges in California to
create a A.A. degree in Global Studies to
prepare more American graduates to
become globally competent.
• Santa Monica College should establish an
International Advisory Committee that
focus on universalizing “global learning” to
prepare students for global realities, not
just merely study abroad opportunities.
• Santa Monica College should become a
member of AIEA or CCID. Unfortunately,
of the current 200+ AIEA members, only 7
are community colleges.

25. Final message…
“It takes a village to raise a child.”
Unfortunately, our village borders hardly exist within
community college districts. YOU can help change that
by giving a voice to over 10 million community college
students and to build a globally competitive workforce.
“Be the change you
wish to see in the world.”
- Mahatma Gandhi

26. Questions? Comments?
E-mail: roy.chan@bc.edu
NOTE: This PowerPoint slides are available for download at: http://
www.rychan.com