Sergio Cisneros
Lantern Staff
High school graduates and those seeking a degree are often torn between either attending a community college or a four-year university to continue their education because of concerns about which type of institution is better to attend.
Although there are many things that can be different from college to college, there is always a general consensus in our society that universities are far superior to community college. Some students and teachers do not consider community college a legitimate option for higher education.
“I chose a four-year [university] because I wanted the college experience and wanted to move away,” Wichita State freshman Jack Pasquith said. “I expected to meet new people and to get a good education and life experiences. I never thought about going to a community college until I saw how expensive a university is.”
A four-year university is often the flagship of our society when it comes to offering secondary education. However, what Pasquith was looking for at his university of choice can be found at a community college as well.
Butler allows students to have the opportunity to have the college experience that students seek by having on campus housing and extra-curricular activities available to many students here. There are also in-person classes and good sized campus where students can interact with each other and their instructors on a personal level.
For many community colleges around the nation, their claims to fame may include great affordability or a legendary sports program, but some people do not give community colleges praise for the quality of the education they provide that they deserve.
Associate Professor of Behavioral Science Cheree Anthony-Encapera takes great passion in teaching and cares about the students who attend her class.
“I think the biggest misconception or fallacy is that you can’t get as great of an education at a community college compared to a four-year university,” Anthony-Encapera said. “The truth is, no matter what school you go to, the quality of your education will always come down to the professors who teach your specific classes.”
Anthony-Encapera also says that every school has excellent teachers and teachers that students want to avoid. She explains the key is to make the best, informed choices and choose teachers that would challenge you whether you attend a community college or university.
At Butler many of the instructors value the quality of the education that they give their students and that the skills and lessons they learn while they attend Butler are valuable ones. However one of the challenges that come with attending a community college is that most students are working towards transferring to a four-year institution, not just graduating.
They have to be ready to jump right into their major once they get to their four-year of choice and have enough knowledge to be able to keep up in their class, and many fear that they will not be prepared when they leave community college.
“The area where we community college excel is in our personal attention,” Anthony-Encapera said. “We have fewer students per teacher in general education classes, and we really get to know our students. This allows us to better meet their educational deficiencies and problem areas, as well as identify their strengths and push them harder.”
Anthony-Encapera says that thanks to the small number of students in her general education classes, it allows her to use high-engagement learning strategies in the classroom. Her students learn to think critically and apply the material they learn.
She also explains that at community colleges learning is the top priority, not the professors’ individual research. That also means that students at community colleges do not have to be taught by a teacher’s assistant and taught by professors.
Thanks to Professor Anthony-Encapera and the rest of Butler’s faculty the quality of the education here at Butler is always growing. Their commitment further proves that attending community college is an effective option for quality learning.
All schools have programs that aim to help students learn and succeed inside and outside of the classroom, and Butler has earned its spot along with many community colleges and universities as a viable choice for education.