Because many students at community colleges seem to have overcome so many obstacles to become a college student, these individuals bring such variety in their backgrounds and reasons for attending college – for some it’s a financial decision, for some it’s a new beginning and a new chapter, and for some it’s a second chance after the first time didn’t work out for whatever reason. Regardless of the reason or motivation for enrolling in college, almost all students will need to take an English course, but knowing about the bigger picture of how a community college functions, issues the faculty deal with, types of students who enroll, and policies in higher education allow for me to have a better understanding of my role and ultimately help serve my students better. I strongly believe that an English classroom is where a student can begin to realize their potential in college. Through successfully applying the reading and writing processes and learning how to read texts rhetorically, students will be better equipped to grapple with college materials and workplace situations.
