December 15, 2017 | Issue # 103
AACC has been paying close attention to the legislation regarding the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act—and I’m sure you all have, too. A marathon markup session took place this week, and AACC achieved its three biggest objectives: securing Title IV support for short-term workforce development programs; securing a 300% of “normal time” graduation rate for our programs; and providing authority for student aid officers to reduce loan maximums for broad categories of students. This note sent to the AACC board provides more detail. You can learn more about the legislation and AACC’s advocacy efforts below.
This is the last CEO to CEO Newsletter of 2017. On behalf of the AACC board and staff, I wish you all a safe and happy holiday season.
“House HEA Markup Draws Partisan Lines”
The House Education and the Workforce Committee on Tuesday began to mark up its bill to revamp the Higher Education Act. You can read about it in CC Daily.
“What the End of Net Neutrality Means”
Higher education organizations sound off about the possible end of net neutrality in the AACC 21st Century Center.
Taking a Stand on Community College Nursing Programs
Recently, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) task force on Academic Progression asked for feedback regarding their draft position statement The Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing as Minimal Preparation for Professional Practice. AACC and ACCT joined together in providing feedback. We urge you to do the same. Community college nursing programs fill a critical need across the country. Please read the AACC/ACCT response to the AACN draft position statement and submit your comments here.
More on the HEA Reauthorization
AACC and ACCT sent a letter to Reps. Virginia Foxx and Bobby Scott of the House Education and the Workforce Committee in advance of the markup of the PROSPER Act. You can read that letter here.
Register for the AACC Convention
Registration is now open for the 98th Annual AACC Convention. We hope you’ll join us in Dallas, Texas, April 28–May 1, 2018. Go to the convention website to get information on pre-convention sessions, speakers, and more.
Honor Your Outstanding Faculty
The new AACC Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty recognition has been established to showcase faculty members making a difference in the community college classroom. AACC will accept one faculty nomination from each member college. Distinguished Faculty recipients will be honored at a private reception on April 29 at the AACC Annual Convention. They also will receive a 15% discount off of the current faculty registration rate for the convention, a custom commemorative medal, and more. Nomination deadline: February 15, 2018, at 5:00 p.m. (ET).
Register for AACC’s CEO Onboarding Seminar
AACC recognizes the importance of onboarding for new CEOs. We’re pleased to offer a day-and-a-half program, “A Focus on Success for the First 365 Days of the Presidency: An Onboarding Seminar.” The program is designed for new CEOs and the college’s board chair. It will be held in Washington, DC, February 15–16, 2018. Register now.
Highlights
I was honored to meet with Ivanka Trump at the White House on Tuesday, December 12, to discuss apprenticeships and the Task Force on Apprenticeship Expansion, which is led by the U.S. Department of Labor.
I was pleased to be part of the AACC-hosted meeting of community college chief diversity officers on Monday, December 11. I was joined by AACC board member Maureen Murphy for this convening.
See more of Where’s Walter.