November 6, 2020 | Issue # 174
We’re heading into our fall commission, committee, and board meetings. Between this week’s election and living through a global pandemic over the last 8 months, we have a lot to discuss. I know we’re all anxious about what will happen in the next few days, week, and months. We’re unsure of the future. But we keep going because there’s no other option.
In my most recent Final Thoughts column, I talked about how finding compromise during times like these is so important. We all share the common goal to provide the best for our students and our communities and compromise is essential to meeting that goal. And we must all act with resilience and resolve to conquer rapid change.
Coincidentally, our conference theme in 2021 is “Rapid Change = Resilience + Resolve,” and we’re now accepting session proposals. We want to hear how a strategy you implemented is helping your students, institution, and community. Learn more in the “Must Do” section.
“You Want Systemic Change? Community Colleges Have Some Tools to Consider”
The difficult work of building and revising structures to eradicate unconscious bias involves transforming hearts and minds, then changes in structures, curriculum and policies, say two administrators at Guttman Community College. They offer up promising practices in this CC Daily article.
“Improving the Criminal Justice System with Education”
A new certificate program at Shoreline Community College helps those working with the criminal justice system improve it. Read about it in the AACC 21st Century Center blog.
AACC and Harvard Business School Partnership
AACC and Harvard Business School’s Project on Managing the Future of Work are partnering on a survey focusing on collaboration between America’s community colleges and employers. This unique partnership will take a pulse on the state of collaboration between leaders of community colleges and business leaders to create the workforce of the future. The survey will be provided in mid-November. Be on the lookout for additional information in your email.
In 2021, in place of the annual convention, AACC will offer two options for professional development: AACC Live and AACC Digital. We’re accepting submissions for session proposals for both conferences now. Read the proposal guidelines for AACC Live here. And submit proposals for AACC Digital here. We’re also accepting nominations for the Awards of Excellence, Outstanding Alumni Awards, Leadership Award, and the Dale P. Parnell Faculty Distinction Recognition.
Submit a Proposal for the Equity Transfer Initiative
AACC, in partnership with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and the Association on Public and Land-Grant Institutions (APLU), is launching the Equity Transfer Initiative (ETI). The ETI aims to increase transfer rates for African American, Hispanic, adult, and first-generation learners. AACC, AASCU, and APLU member institutions are eligible to apply for participation in the ETI. Learn more here.