The new sitcom about students at a community college was the second-highest rated show of the night.  But as I blogged earlier this year, the question for higher ed is, “What impact will the program have on the image of the community college system?”

Certainly there were some favorable elements in the storyline. The fictional community college is seen as a place where cheating isn’t allowed and adults can go for a second chance at life. Even the quip about the school having an “express line to pay tuition,” speaks to the affordability of community college. Certainly all institutions wish they could always be portrayed as positive and uplifting in every aspect and we work to help them achieve such results.  But I think “Community,” in the end, is probably harmless fun and will likely be less about education and more about the lives of the main characters as the season progresses.

In a brilliant move, NBC created a Web site for the community college on the show. The school even lays out its policy agenda (affordability and accessibility):

http://www.greendalecommunitycollege.com/about/

- Adam Shapiro, Vice President, Public Affairs