"A carefully designed empirical study and a valuable addition to the field...The base of evidence is extensive, consisting of site observations and detailed interviews with students, faculty members, and administrators. One distinctive feature of the book is the generous sprinkling of direct quotations, both short and long. Deans, counselors, instructors, and students all have their say." - Christina Stern, Academe ... Read more "Community colleges are unique institutions of higher education with distinctive conceptual theories and stories to be told. We see the concept of co-construction as critical for practitioners, policymakers, and scholars in understanding community colleges as institutions that are impacted by the influences of students, just as the students are influenced by the college, faculty, administrators, staff, and other students. We recommend this book as an excellent resource for understanding the experiences of today's students." - Rufus Glasper, CPA, Chancellor, Maricopa Community Colleges and Susan T. Kater, Director, Institutional Planning, Research & Effectiveness, GateWay Community College "This book's innovative application of organizational theory to detailed case studies will change the way scholars and practitioners think about contemporary community colleges and will open new avenues to increased student and institutional success. The voices of the students portrayed in Community Colleges and Their Students should cause all of those who care about the role of community colleges in American society to rethink our intentions for those vital institutions and our obligations to those they serve." - Brian Pusser, Associate Professor and Director, Center for the Study of Higher Education, Curry School of Education, University of Virginia Show Less