February 8, 2019 | Issue # 131
I spent part of last week in San Diego for AACC’s Workforce Development Institute. It was great to learn about innovative workforce training programs and partnerships happening on campuses around the country. We’re excited to move forward on our partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor to launch the Virtual Apprenticeship Network. I’ve heard from many colleges who are interested in participating in this program. Stay tuned for more information!
“Q&A with ED’s New Lead on Community Colleges”
Casey Sacks is the new deputy assistant secretary for community colleges at the U.S. Education Department (ED). In this CC Daily article, she answers a few questions about her role at the department and what community colleges can expect from ED in the coming months.
A College Promise program has led to an increase in first-time high school graduates enrolling at Allan Hancock College. Learn about it at the AACC 21st Century Center.
AACC’s Unfinished Business
AACC’s Unfinished Business initiative will work to identify issues that continue to impede completion goals for many of the nation’s community college students. At the heart of Unfinished Business is a moral imperative for fairness and inclusion. Unfinished Business will not simply identify barriers, but will seek out stellar practices and create tools that will help transform how we think and create solutions for all of our students. AACC has invited a small group of new CEOs to participate in our second Unfinished Business meeting in March. There will be further opportunities for participation in the future.
The U.S. Department of Education issued a notice inviting applications for selection of up to 10 performance partnership pilots for FY 2018 and up to 10 performance partnership pilots for FY 2019 under the Performance Partnership Pilots for Disconnected Youth authority. The initiative offers state and local governments the opportunity to get waivers of statutory or regulatory requirements for many of their existing programs. Learn more here.
Jump Start Your Convention Experience with Pre-Convention Workshops
Don’t miss out on the premier community college event of the year: the AACC Annual Convention. Join us in Orlando, Florida, April 13–16. Register now. And check out the preconference sessions, which include the New CEO Academy, Embracing Diversity and Equity: Best Practices in Community Colleges, and Chance Favors the Prepared: Data Protection Strategies in Higher Education.
Apply to Serve on an AACC Commission
AACC has nine commissions, which were established to provide advice to the AACC board and staff and to encourage collaboration among community college entities and organizations. Interested in serving on a commission? AACC is now accepting applications. CEOs, vice presidents/vice chancellors, associate/assistant vice presidents/vice chancellors, and provosts from AACC member colleges are eligible to apply. Appointments range from 1 to 3 years. Commissions meet twice a year. The deadline to submit applications is May 1, 2019, by 5:00 p.m. (ET).
I met with Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos (center) on February 6. Joining us were Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical, and Adult Education Scott Stump, AACC Chief of Staff Dr. Angel Royal, and Principal Deputy Under Secretary Dr. Diane Auer Jones.
See more of Where’s Walter.