January 8, 2021 | Issue # 178
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.
“What the Funding Package Means for Colleges, Students”
Just before the end of 2020, the coronavirus relief and government funding bill was signed into law. Read this CC Daily article to see what the funding package means for higher ed.
Formerly incarcerated students find a new path through education thanks to programs through the San Diego Community College District. Learn more at the AACC 21st Century Center.
AACC Virtual Listening Tour Launches January 18
In 2011, as newly appointed president and CEO of the American Association of Community Colleges, I embarked on a Listening Tour to hear directly from community college leaders about the issues that they were most concerned about related to student success, college operations, and in the area of workforce development among other things. The invaluable feedback received from our members informed the work of the 21st-Century Commission on the Future of Community Colleges. We are now in a very important moment in this country with unemployment, social justice issues, student homelessness and food insecurity, and a rampant pandemic. I believe it is time to hear from the AACC membership again. I’ll be hosting a series of Listening Tours (virtually) with community college CEOs designed to hear directly from you about the issues that you are most concerned about. This information will assist the association in crafting its priorities and to align its operations more closely with your needs.
Earlier this week, you should have received an email from us with preliminary estimates on the allocations that institutions may receive through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act. We hope you found this information valuable. If you didn’t receive that email, please reach out to Kent Phillippe. AACC also is hosting a webinar on the pandemic relief legislation on January 12 at 3:00 p.m. (ET). Register here.
AACC Century of Success Books
At the end of 2020, we mailed to each AACC member CEO our centennial publication, A Century of Success. We hope you enjoyed this publication celebrating AACC’s first 100 years! If you did not receive your copy of the book, please reach out to Tabitha Whissemore.
Submit Proposals for AACC Live, AACC Digital, and AACC Awards
Today – January 8 – at 5:00 p.m. (ET) is the deadline for submitting session proposals for AACC Live. Read the proposal guidelines for AACC Live here. Proposals for AACC Digital are due January 15. Submit proposals for AACC Digital here. And today also is the deadline for submitting nominations for the AACC Awards of Excellence and the Dale P. Parnell Faculty Distinction Recognition.
AACC’s Workforce Development Institute will be held virtually January 27-28. This year’s theme is “Adjusting Through Adversity.” Check out the schedule here and register here.