What's New? Alliance To Develop National System For Community College Faculty Development In Information Technology
Three corporate and educational leaders have formed an alliance to develop, for the first time ever, a systematic, nationwide plan for community and technical college faculty development in the field of information technology (IT). The alliance includes Microsoft Corporation, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), and Bellevue Community College’s National Workforce Center for Emerging Technologies (NWCET). Frequently Asked Questions - Working Connections IT Faculty Development Institute. IT Training Builds at Walters State Community College
What happens when a small rural college gets a boost from a major partner and plugged into a network of peer institutions? Many changes have occurred at Walters State since the college received one of the first AACC/Microsoft Working Connections grants in 1998 as a member of the Working Connections Class of 2000. Over a five-year period, Microsoft grants and software valued at $64 million have supported innovations in information technology education and training for underrepresented students at 63 community colleges. A team of five Working Connections mentor colleges provided technical assistance to participating colleges and helped build a collegial network that enabled them to share challenges and successes with each other as they developed IT programs across the country. Community Partners in Action --- Working Connections Colleges Connect During Time of Crisis Located only few blocks away from what used to be the World Trade Center, Borough of Manhattan Community College has been directly affected by the recent terrorist attacks. BMCC was an active partner with the Trade Center’s area businesses, working closely with its community in meeting employers’ needs. Many BMCC students and staff also used the World Trade Center as their subway or PATH train station. The campus, which normally serves 16,000 degree-seeking students a year, is currently being used as a command center for rescue and recovery efforts. The college now houses the U.S. Army, Port Authority Police Department, Fire Department, medical units, and other rescue workers. Hard Drive Café: Creating a Learning Community with Technology and Some Espresso Last year, the administration at St. Petersburg Junior College (now St. Petersburg College), had a dilemma on their hands. The Clearwater campus of 6,200 students lacked modern food services, and areas where students could relax were nowhere to be found. It was also evident that very few students were using the library. Like many community college students across the country, St. Petersburg students take classes around their work and family schedules. So, students who needed a place to relax between classes went to their local Barnes and Noble, Starbucks or Hard Rock café. Working Connections II: Consortia Colleges, Class of 2004 AACC and Microsoft have launched the fourth round of RFPs in the national Working Connections initiative. The RFP is available online only. Four million dollar grants (up to $500,000 cash and $3.5 million in software), will be awarded to three community college consortia. The application process requires an online Title Page and five downloadable forms. Online title pages must be submitted by February 14, and paper proposal packages are due in the AACC office by February 15, 2001. Class of 2002 Grant Winners Announced
Eight community colleges join the Working Connections network.
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