In 2001, the ACS reported, “The Ph.D. in chemistry usually prepares individuals for careers in basic research. The degree does not typically prepare these highly skilled research professionals to be faculty members.†In 2004, a report of a workshop held at NSF noted that “the purpose of the postdoctoral experience should … prepare postdocs for professional careers that are not solely as faculty members at research-intensive universities.†For the past 10 years the UCLA Chemistry and Biochemistry department has addressed these issues through a Preparing Future Faculty (PFF) course for Ph.D. students and postdoctoral scholars. To assess the long-term impact of the course, a questionnaire was sent to 91 people with whom we still had contact information and who had participated in the program between 1994 and 2002. From the 41% response rate, 86% (32) identified themselves as being in academic positions from the full range of types of higher education institutions. The survey revealed that all components of the seminar were helpful for the academic recruitment process and that some aspects continued to be useful for the respondents in their current faculty positions.

This review of the literature focuses on the need for teachers and how community colleges are presenting themselves as a source for teacher recruitment. After describing the need for teachers in different contexts, the author explores why students enter teaching careers, how community colleges are a recruitment source, and how community colleges educate prospective teachers. The author then illustrates the community college's role in teacher training with three examples of training programs. The review concludes with goals for the future such as expanding articulation agreements and partnerships with four-year colleges, offering counseling and student support services, and involving students in local schools.

This concluding chapter describes resources related to teacher education at community colleges, including national perspectives, issue papers, examinations of student experiences, and literature summaries.