Profiles of U.S. Community Colleges: A Guide for International Students 

Profiles is an annual print publication and Web site produced by AACC and designed to help AACC member colleges (nearly 1,200 nationwide) increase their international student enrollments.  The print publication is distributed free of charge worldwide and is complemented by an interactive and searchable Web site – www.aaccinternational.org  The Web site presents information about AACC member colleges in a highly interactive and searchable way that is both dynamic and user friendly.  The goal is to assist prospective international students in selecting colleges that can meet their specific needs. AACC's Profiles Web site and publication are the only authoritative one-stop resource for international students to discover the value of U.S. community colleges.  This concerted effort by AACC member institutions assists in putting U.S. community colleges "top of mind" for tens of thousands of students across the globe.

Profiles annual print publication contains:

• Individual college profiles containing essential information that students and their parents need to select a college
• General information about the benefits of attending community colleges and their role in the U.S. higher education system
• Helpful tips about F-1 student visas, U.S. customs, and traveling to and living in the United States

Print Distribution:

The printed publication alone reaches tens of thousands of prospective international students, their parents, and advisers each year through a trusted and highly respected network of EducationUSA advising centers, embassies, consulates, and select high schools.  To request free copies of this publication, email information describing your organization, include mailing address and contact information (phone, fax, email), to wwheeler@aacc.nche.edu

The Web site provides:

• Interactive search engines to find colleges by name, location, and/or programs
• Direct access to individual college Web sites
• Information about the 2+2 process
• Top 10 Reasons to study at a U.S. community college
• Translation of vital information into other languages
• Download and print capability

New for Fall 2010:

• Links to international social networking sites, such as Twitter, MySpace, Facebook, QQ, Orkut, Bebo, etc.
• Access via web-enabled mobile devices (i.e., phones, blackberries, etc.)
• Interactive map of the U.S. to click through college profiles
• Detailed tracking of Web site visitors using the IT industry’s gold standard – Google Analytics

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Why is it important for community colleges to participate? AACC is the only authoritative voice of U.S. community colleges, domestically and internationally.  Over 800 AACC member colleges are registered with the U.S. government (through SEVIS) to accept international students on their campus.  AACC's  Profiles of U.S. Community Colleges, print publication and Web site, is a concerted effort by AACC member institutions to market their individual colleges and put U.S. community colleges "top of mind" for tens of thousands across the globe.  AACC's international print publication and web site are the only authoritative one-stop resource for international students to discover the value of U.S. community colleges. Both the print publication and Web site showcase individual member colleges and assist prospective international students to select the colleges that can meet their specific needs.

Who is the audience? Prospective international students and their parents. The print publication and Web site are also used widely as a resource by EducationUSA advisers, Fulbright advisers, Embassy and Consular Officials. This concerted effort assists in putting U.S. community colleges "top of mind" for tens of thousands across the globe.

Additional Questions/Inquiries: Contact Wayne Wheeler, Associate for International Programs & Services, (202) 728-0200, ext. 250.