September 3, 2021 | Issue # 195
Over the last couple of days, I have watched the news and have been horrified at the destruction that Louisiana, Mississippi, and East Coast communities have experienced from Hurricane Ida. I cannot help but remember going through the recovery in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina when I served as president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System.
Recovery in normal times is difficult, but it can seem especially daunting as we continue to face the COVID-19 pandemic. To all of the institutions that have been impacted, we continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers. As I maneuvered the recovery from Hurricane Katrina, we were inundated with offers of assistance from around the country. And while these offers are appreciated, when you are in the midst of assessing the damage and mapping out your recovery, they can take your focus away from what is most important. Do know that, having gone through a similar natural disaster, we do not want to complicate the work that you have to do, but we stand ready to assist you in any way that we can over the coming weeks and months as you work to restore full operations to your colleges.
I wish you all a safe Labor Day weekend.
“Disparities Continue in Transfer Mobility”
New research from the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) Research Center on transfers finds that only highly selective institutions expanded their transfer enrollment. Meanwhile, transfers among Black and Native American students fell further than pre-pandemic declines. Read about it in CC Daily.
“Community Colleges – Imperfectly Advancing America’s Middle Class”
We know community colleges aren’t perfect, but they’re helping Americans break the cycle of poverty. Read my Viewpoint piece about this in CC Daily.
An instructor at Linn-Benton Community College sets a pathway for the next generation. Read her story in the AACC 21st Century Center blog.
Register for Pathways Workshops
AACC is hosting a virtual workshop series for colleges committed to guided pathways reforms aimed at improving outcomes and equity for all students. The first workshop will take place October 14. Learn more about the series and registration here.
Register by September 13 for FLI & FPI
AACC’s John E. Roueche Future Leaders Institute (FLI) and Future Presidents Institute (FPI) will be offered October 5-7 in Washington, DC. Is there someone on your staff who could benefit from this type of professional development? Consider sending them to Roueche-FLI or FPI. Registration closes September 13.