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Highlighting the Role of Humanities in Community Colleges

The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) has recently published a pivotal report titled The Promise of the Humanities at Community Colleges. This groundbreaking document brings to light the significant contributions of faculty engaged in teaching and research within the field of humanities at two-year colleges. The report is crafted from insights shared by 12 faculty fellows from the Mellon/ACLS Community College Faculty Fellowship Program.

The Landscape of Community Colleges

As of Spring 2025, there were 4.4 million students enrolled in American community colleges, making this sector the fastest growing area in higher education. Community colleges cater to a highly diverse student body, with a mix of ethnicities, economic backgrounds, and age groups. Faculty in these institutions face unique challenges, including heavy teaching loads and budget constraints, yet they remain committed to the dual missions of education and scholarly research.

In the report, ACLS Program Officer Nike Nivar Ortiz stated, "Community colleges continue to serve as the backbone of American higher education, serving a wide variety of learners across ethnic, economic, and age groups." This sentiment encapsulates the report's central theme: advocating for increased support and resources that allow faculty to pursue meaningful research within the humanities and social sciences.

Exploring Faculty Perspectives

The essays in The Promise of the Humanities at Community Colleges are divided into four primary themes: research landscapes; student engagement and pedagogical practices; community engagement; and equitable practices. Each contribution reflects the varied landscapes of community college teaching, demonstrating how humanities scholarship is not only practiced but thrives in this environment.

The faculty fellows who contributed their writings represent a diverse set of disciplines, whether through teaching rigorous academic curricula or engaging in innovative research projects that enrich the local community. Notable contributors include Lucha Arévalo from Río Hondo College, Cinder Cooper Barnes from Montgomery College, and Jaime Thomas from Cypress College, among others. Their essays underline the importance of fostering connections between academic inquiry and community engagement, illustrating the influential role that humanities research plays in societal development.

Research as a Public Good

The report also champions humanities scholarship as a public good, particularly at a time when such disciplines are often overlooked or criticized for their perceived lack of practicality. The contributions from the Mellon/ACLS Community College Faculty Fellowship Program, established between 2019 and 2022, highlight the importance of recognizing and celebrating the vital role of humanities and social sciences in furthering an informed and engaged public.

ACLS's initiative not only affirms the positive impact faculty can have on their students but also stresses the necessity of allowing educators the time and resources to undertake transformative research endeavors. Community colleges are pivotal in bridging the gap between higher education and the wider community, serving as gateways for many individuals seeking knowledge and professional development.

Conclusion

The publication of The Promise of the Humanities at Community Colleges signals an essential step in advocating for the humanities within the higher education context. By focusing on the unique challenges and accomplishments of faculty members at these institutions, ACLS aims to motivate stakeholders to invest in the future of humanities education, ultimately enhancing the entire educational system’s landscape. In an era of rapid change and continuous adaptation, fostering supportive cultures for research and scholarship within community colleges is more critical than ever.