LaGuardia Community College and Universidad Central Sign Agreement to Create the First Community College in Chile

On December 17, 2008, LaGuardia Community College President Dr. Gail O. Mellow presented the keynote speech, “Chile and Community Colleges, La Universidad de Communidad,” before an audience of academics, government officials, members of the military and leaders of the Chilean business community at a forum convened by Universidad Central in Santiago, Chile. Afterwards, Dr. Mellow met with the Chilean Minister of Education Monica Jimenez de la Jara who agreed that creating a pilot community college in Chile under the auspices of the Universidad Central would enhance social mobility in Chile, while also serving to spotlight the vital role community colleges play in educating the 21st century global workforce.

Highlights of the formal agreement between LaGuardia and the Universidad Central include:

• This Community College will be primarily designed for students in underserved communities with few resources.
• The Community College will prepare students to enter the workforce or to transfer to a university with all credits earned eligible for transfer towards a future degree.
• LaGuardia will provide their expertise in creating such a Community College in all academic and administrative aspects.
• The agreement includes an exchange of students and professors between LaGuardia and Universidad Central.
• Universidad Central will create a Business Advisory Board made up of leaders of Chilean industries, nonprofit organizations and the military to help the University develop new programs.This would be the first such board associated with a University in Chile.