The demographic projections for the next decade call for dramatic theoretical, conceptual, and practical paradigm shifts within the teaching and learning arena. During the period between 1976 and 1994, postsecondary enrollment increased nearly 30 percent, with minority students accounting for more than half of this gain. In American higher education, community colleges play a significant role in providing educational access and opportunity to a diverse student population. Each fall, approximately half of all minority undergraduates enrolled in higher education attend a community college. Arguably, community college campuses reflect the diversity of the American population.
Enrolled students are of all ages and come from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Student success among minority students at community colleges is also on the rise. Although the rate of growth has varied considerably among the four major ethnic minority groups, each group has made gains at every degree level. Since 1987, minority students have outpaced white students in their rate of increase at all degree levels. This 22.8 percent rate in 1997 was up more than 1 percentage point from 1996, more than 4 percentage points from 1993, and nearly 7 percentage points from 1987. Despite increased access and success achieved by students of color, challenges remain.