April 26, 2019 | Issue # 136
Thanks to each of you that took time out of your busy schedules to attend the 99th Annual Convention in Orlando. I know I say it every year, but I believe that this was our best convention yet. I have heard from many of our attendees that they enjoyed the networking opportunities afforded to them. In addition, they have remarked on the array of high quality sessions. Kudos to those of you that presented this year. During the closing session of our convention, we announced the dates for our 2020 event, which will mark the 100th Anniversary of AACC. Please save the dates of March 28–31, 2020, so that you can take part in the celebration.
This week, I convened the second “Unfinished Business” meeting, which brought together community college presidents to discuss equity issues and eliminating achievement gaps. I have been encouraged by the dialogue at the first two meetings. We have gleaned much useful information that will inform the full rollout of this initiative. As you know, equity issues are different in every community, so I’ll be holding several more of these meetings so I can hear as many voices as possible. The Unfinished Business initiative will chart the focus of the association for the future.
Learn about the AACC Unfinished Business initiative and how campus leaders are committing to equity in student outcomes in the latest issue of Community College Journal.
“Warming Up to Educating Inmates”
The Trump administration held a day-long event at the U.S. Education Department focused on promising practices, as well as challenges, in using education and job training to help incarcerated individuals. Learn more in CC Daily.
Congratulations to the 10 community college presidents who were recently elected to serve on AACC’s board of directors. Find out more here.
Submit Your Commission Application by May 1
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).
Registration is now open for the 2019 Presidents Academy Summer Institute. Join us July 13–16 in Atlanta, Georgia, as we focus on issues of critical importance to success in the role of the community college president.
On Wednesday, I convened the second “Unfinished Business” meeting at AACC’s offices with 12 community college presidents.
Back row (L to R): Dr. Phil Neal (Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College), Kent Phillippe (AACC), Dr. Ronald Rhames (Midlands Technical College), Dr. Tonjua Williams (St. Petersburg College), Dr. Kevin Boys (Southern State Community College), Dr. Paul Carlsen (Lakeshore Technical College), Dr. Yves Salomon-Fernandez (Greenfield Community College), Dr. Luis Pedraja (Quinsigamond Community College), Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea (Mott Community College), Dr. Joy Gates Black (Delaware County Community College), Ramsay Johnson (AACC), and Gerald Napoles (Lone Star College-North Harris).
Front Row: Tabitha Whissemore (AACC), Jen Worth (AACC), Dr. Angel Royal (AACC), Dr. Walter G. Bumphus (AACC), Dr. Jo Blondin (Clark State Community College), and Dr. Monique Umphrey (Houston Community College-Northeast)