Cameron Cyprain
Staff Writer
Nationally, approximately half or less than half of all students who actively pursue an education after high school fail to obtain a certificate or an Associate’s degree from a community college, enter into a four-year university, or earn a Bachelor’s degree. An alarming trend that continues to threaten the future careers of millions of potential scholars, most professions that offer a salary above minimum wage. It’s requires to have a Bachelor’s degree, at least.
In a massive effort to combat the declining success rate of current and future enrolled students, campus members of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society are teaming up with Pearson learning company to promote an event that calls students to sign a mass pledge. They are calling the event “Commit to Completion,” which takes place June 5 at 11 a.m. in the courtyard outside of the cafeteria. By signing this pledge, students agree to take advantage of every resource and opportunity to complete community college and earn their certificates or degrees. Faculty, staff, and administrators are also signing the pledge in order to demonstrate their devotion to assisting students accomplish their goals.
The necessity for such an event sparked the following establishment of a similar event known as the Call to Action in 2010, in which Phi Theta Kappa was the only student organization asked to participate, whose purpose was to increase student completion rates by 50 percent in the next ten years. During the same period, President Barack Obama made a call to community colleges across the country to increase the number of degrees and certificates they awarded by 5 million within the next decade. With an international ranking as the 16 highest industrialized country with a percentage of students holding a higher education credential, there is a good reason why more academic institutions in the United States would want to make a better effort in meeting the new standard that has been set for them and the students.
There’s no denying that many colleges could do more in terms of reaching out to their students. However, most of the work and motivation will and always will be in the hands of those who truly intend to get serious about their education; only so much can be done on one end. “Commit to Complete” is intended to keep students aware of how important it is that they succeed in school, and ultimately, any ambition they pursue in life.
