American Higher Education Summary

As a graduate student at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, I had the opportunity to enhance my understanding of higher education through my coursework, and involvement with on campus organizations. While a graduate student, I also worked in both the student affairs and academic advising department and, I was able to conduct research as part of course assignments. As a non-traditional, first-generation undergraduate student, I found particular interest in research topics involving non-traditional students like myself. I found interest in the history of financial aid and the admission process in regards to a student who took less traditional routes to access higher education.

Our society revolves around the intelligent and prestigious; not because they make more money or demand respect due to their title, but because the amount of knowledge and experience they portray to the community does not only benefit their own livelihood, but ours as well. To reach these levels of prominence, being a college graduate will increase your chances of doing so. Although college expenses might seem overwhelming, it is a smart investment that will lead to more opportunities, such as higher paying jobs, rewarding intellectual aspects, and above all provides a consistent and steady income.

The article Higher Education by Gary Smith is about a basketball coach who changed the lives of a whole community. Perry Reese Jr. was a black basketball coach in Berlin, Ohio which used to be one of the most Amish settlements in America. Many in the town wrote him off because of their racist views. What they didn’t know was that one day he was going to be the man that created magic in that small community. He was not only a coach but someone who genuinely cared for all of these people, breaking the traditional views of segregation and life all together.

“The two-year college has been a distinctively American creation, and nowhere else has it attained such prominence” (Brint & Karabel, 1989). Once commonly called

In Professor X’s essay, In the basement of Ivory Tower, (X) Professor X goes into great detail, arguing that his students have the desire to maintain high academic standards, for example, to receive a promotion, to further their career, or because it is a job requirement. However, these same students cannot possibly pass their classes due to their lack of educational abilities. Initially, I found myself believing the author was hostile and unhappy in his career, although the more I read and re-read this article I found myself shifting opinions, and I began to appreciate what a controversial topic college education truly is. Professor X discusses how these students are unfit for college. Like Professor X, I believe that college isn’t for everyone. Society has created expectations that everyone needs to attend college. Society has encourage our citizens to have personal expectations without putting forth the work, and society has also helped us lose track of the apprentice programs we once relied on.

In “Are Too Many People Going to College?”, the author, Charles Murray explains the advantages of a liberal arts undergraduate degree, diminishes the importance of a college B.A., and claims that more people should consider providing goods and services rather than pursuing more advanced careers. He begins by outlining the importance of “core knowledge” being taught at a younger age in order to provide students with “cultural literacy” in American history and literature. After addressing a basis of education, he continues to discuss the importance of a liberal arts education over a “brick-and-mortar campus”. In the final part of his writing he connects the previous information to belittle the importance of a four year college degree

In, Leo Gerard's article, " Grading Colleges on Access to the American Dream", the author illustrates the tremendous problem of college affordability, which is a growing issue in America. While author primarily focuses on the current issue of college affordability, he also evokes memories of a time when attending college was less difficult. The author begins his argument by stating the importance of colleges and the American Dream. He outlines Obama's plan to grade colleges based on tuition, scholarships, and financial aid. He states that Obama's plan will help restore the chance for all people to attain the American Dream. The author then compares our generation to the past, as he describes the circumstances for teens growing up in the 1960s

Before 1862, higher education was a privilege for the wealthy and elite members of society. These habits were inherited from the European class system and designed society in an aristocratic way where nobility was viewed more importantly than value and worth. A college education was generally available if you were wealthy, white, and male. Many of the subjects that were available were things such as Latin, literature, law, or the classics, usually held at a private school.

By the 1900s things were looking up for college goers. College sought out to include women, blacks, and immigrants. But of course there were still restrictions for these minorities. Stated in an online article, “Black colleges remained restricted to grade-school and agricultural- or industrial-focused instruction with little college-level education offered. In addition to that women remained segregated and were expected to study "domestic science" or similar topics” (Background of the Issue, n.d.). Still at this time the goal was still not to obtain a college degree because people still had the notion that there was no point in getting a four year degree. At this time in the 1900s you could still have a successful life without one as well. By the mid-1900s colleges saw a major rise in student enrollments this time period fell between

Between the 1900s and 1975 the United States experiences growth in many areas of higher education (HE). Various publications, people, acts and legislation influenced change in thought, access, policy, practice, and assessment of HE. From the Civil War Era to the Mass Education Era we witnessed the struggle of African Americans that influenced important legislation, the Progressive Movement and the birth of the Wisconsin Idea, the publication and revision of the Student Personnel Point of View, the President’s Commission on Higher Education, and the passing of the Higher Education Act. All of which contributed to the growth of HE during this time period.

When we first started the course I had very little knowledge about the United States Government. Now, I feel like I have learned a lot and amd able to hold a conversation with someone about our government and actually understand what they are saying and some of the terminology. My growing knowledge of the United States government has and will continue to impact my personal sense of what it means to be an United States citizen. Since I now understand things better I feel like it is easier for me to be more involved with our government since I am no longer as confused as I was before. After taking the class I have seen the importance of participating in things such as voting and why the government decides to make and enforce certain decisions

College has always been used as a means to an end, with that end being their American Dream. Through college, they would gain knowledge that could help them achieve that dream. Over the recent years, with the economic troubles, people have shifted from the idea of

Pursuing an education in the United States is the challenge itself. As an international student I have been overcoming it each day. As a non-homogenous endless process, new unexpected things arise every day, requiring new strategies of dealing with them. My college experience has been a journey filled with trials and tribulations, which I have personally grown from in ways I never thought I could. Having a different status and way of thinking always put me on the spot and showed me how much harder I have to work.

students needing help to acquire a postsecondary credential (Wheelan). After primary schooling it is then even harder to find funding to educate oneself, and the natural instinct is to look directly at the government for assistance. The Higher Education Act of 1965 intends to strengthen educational resources of colleges and universities to provide financial assistance for students in post-secondary and higher education. Not being revised often this act had changes in 1998, 2003 and most recently in 2008 where many sections were renewed. In addition the College Cost Reduction and Access ACT (CCRA) made significant changes to federal financial aid programs. Within these regulations one must engage their self and take the initiative to apply for

All types of education, whether technical or liberal, possess their own inherent merit. The distinction between the two lies in the spectrum of a particular study’s application. A higher education in any study should be encouraged because more knowledgeable individuals benefit both society and themselves through the continuation of their education. The value of one type of education does not negate the value of another. In today’s society technical studies, that is studies with a direct application in the workforce, are more widely encouraged due to the practical merit of the study. It is true that technical studies are valuable, but their value does not negate the immense value of liberal studies because of it lack of a single application. Therefore, the conjunction of both liberal and technical classes in college provides the greatest amount of benefit. Specifically, higher education in the liberal arts is the most valuable for it allowance of a broader application in every field of study and also the larger social realm because of the critical skills it helps students to develop.