February 19, 2021 | Issue # 181
My heart goes out this week to everyone currently impacted by the unprecedented weather conditions and power outages, especially in the states of Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, which have been hit hardest. Having to deal with the pandemic in addition to the devastating cold temperatures, power outages, and the need to treat water is almost unbearable. A special thanks to all of you for persevering in the most difficult of circumstances, all the while meeting the needs of our already vulnerable student population. Like you, I am working from home in Texas, and in my lifetime I do not recall having experienced a weather event like this in the South. Know that at AACC, we continue our work advocating for your institutions and students during this difficult time. And, like other adversities that we have lived through, this too shall pass. Stay encouraged, and stay safe.
“Plans Vary Widely to Reopen Campuses this Fall”
With states all dealing with the coronavirus differently, community colleges have a wide variety of strategies for reopening. This CC Daily article looks at three community colleges that are opening to more in-person classes.
“New Challenges, New Strengths”
Students of disparate backgrounds face similar challenges in the face of the pandemic. Read their stories in this Community College Journal article.
AACC Consolidates AACC Live and Digital Events
We have heard from many of you that you are simply not yet ready to travel during the pandemic, and as a result, we are consolidating the two events planned for our annual meeting. If you have registered for the Live event and made a payment, AACC will issue a refund to you. Attendees with credits from 2020 will be allowed to apply a portion of their credit to the Digital meeting and AACC will apply the remaining credit to your attendance for our 2022 convention. Please be patient as we update our website, schedule, registration form, and issue refunds. If you have submitted a proposal for the Live and/or Digital shows, we will communicate all decisions next week. If you have questions, please contact us at aaccconvention@aacc.nche.edu and allow us at least 48 hours for us to respond. We appreciate your patience as we make this transition.
Vote in the AACC Board Election
In early February, we sent information to AACC member CEOs about voting in the AACC Board of Directors election. The email, which includes voting credentials, came from aacc@simplyvoting.com. If you didn’t get the email, please contact Dr. Angel Royal. Voting ends February 26 at 5:00 p.m. (ET).
AACC, in partnership with the National Science Foundation (NSF), has the Community College Innovation Challenge (CCIC). This national competition encourages community college student teams, working with a supportive faculty or administrator mentor, to use science, technology, engineering, and math to innovate solutions to real-world problems. Learn more about the competition here. Team submissions are due by April 20.
I participated in a Washington Higher Education Secretariat meeting today. We sent our congratulations and thumbs-up to James Kvaal, who has been selected as under secretary of education.
Today, Dr. Angel Royal and I also provided a presentation to the Laramie County Community College (LCCC) leadership at the request of LCCC President and AACC Board Member Dr. Joe Schaffer.