June 16, 2017 | Issue # 090
AACC isn’t slowing down for the summer. This week, we had two big events: Advocates in Action, where we worked to advance our advocacy efforts, and the Community College Innovation Challenge boot camp and reception on Capitol Hill. You can read about those in the “Must Know” section. We also learned that the U.S. Department of Education plans to revise gainful employment and loan forgiveness regulations. Learn more about that here.
“Helping Adults Get Back on Track”
Tennessee’s new free-tuition program for adult learners has community colleges in the state spreading the word to prospective students. But the effort is more than just promoting the new scholarship program. It includes addressing questions older learners may have. Read about it in CC Daily.
“Partnering for New Collar Job Training”
IBM is partnering with community colleges to deliver job training for in-demand tech jobs, or “New Collar” jobs. Learn about it at the 21st Century Center.
Get reenergized at the AACC Presidents Academy Summer Institute (PASI). Register now to join AACC in New York City, July 22–25. This year’s theme is “The Stories We Tell.”
You can get the latest news about our sector in your inbox every day. Sign up to get CC Daily e-mail alerts.
Dreamers Will Be Allowed to Stay in U.S.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it would continue the Obama-era program intended to protect those immigrants from deportation and provide them work permits so they can find legal employment. Immigrants enrolled in the 2012 program, known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, will continue to be eligible to renew every two years and no work permits will be terminated prior to their current expiration dates, according to a fact sheet on the DHS website. Learn more.
This week, AACC hosted Advocates in Action. We heard from representatives from the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor and from congressional offices, as well as policy experts and community college leaders. They provided the information leaders need to better advocate for their institutions. Thank you to all who attended.
Community College Innovation Challenge
AACC partnered with the National Science Foundation to present the Community College Innovation Challenge. Community college students from the 10 finalist teams were in Washington, DC, this week for a bootcamp. They got to show off their projects at a reception on Capitol Hill. We were honored to be joined at the reception by Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD), Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL), Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-TX), Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA). Congratulations to the winning college, Del Mar College, as well as second place finisher, Red Rocks Community College, and to all the finalists.
Where’s Walter
On June 7, I provided a keynote address as a part of the Dubois Lecture Series to Old Dominion University doctoral students. (DC)