September 23, 2022 | Issue # 220
This week, 73 community college representatives were in Washington, DC, for AACC’s Advocates in Action meeting. These meeting participants heard from lobbyists, Capitol Hill staff, AACC staff, and more. They also gained insight into how Washington formulates higher education policy.
Advocacy at the local, state, and federal level is vital to our colleges and the students we serve. College leaders need to know how to effectively work with their legislators, no matter what their party affiliation is, to ensure that policies and legislation advance our mission. We also need to fight to have a place in the rooms where decisions are made. I always say, if we don’t have a seat at the table, we’re on the menu.
AACC is here to help connect you to advocacy resources. Please reach out if you need assistance.
Kudos to David Baime and AACC’s Government Relations team for organizing an outstanding Advocates in Action meeting.
“A Closer Look at Transfers During the Pandemic”
The Covid pandemic significantly dampened transfers among all higher education institutions, but especially among public two-year college students, according to a new report from the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) Research Center. Get the details in CC Daily.
“Civic Action Plan Focuses on Community Engagement”
In Missouri, Metropolitan Community College’s new Civic Action Plan is an initiative to foster a greater sense of engaged citizenship among students and employees. Read about it in the AACC 21st Century Center blog.
Nominations are now open for the AACC awards, which will be presented at the 2023 AACC Annual. Check out the new Rising Stars award, recognizing individuals in community college executive and manager roles.
Kudos to Ramsay R. Johnson, Jr.
Submit 2023 AACC Board of Directors Nominations
AACC is accepting nominations for consideration for the 2023 Board of Directors slate. Current member CEOs may self-nominate or nominate colleagues for consideration. All nominees must be CEOs in good standing with the association. Nominations must be submitted by October 7, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. (ET). For more information, contact Fiona Strother.
Apply for the Next “Cyber Skills for All” Cohort
Last year, in collaboration with Microsoft, AACC began building a community of practice called Cyber Skills for All: Community Colleges Lead the Way. AACC is competitively selecting a second cohort of 14 community colleges to join the community of practice. Selected colleges each will receive $20,000 to, among other things, help build high-quality cybersecurity programs that prepare graduates to enter a variety of occupational areas across the digital economy. Learn more here. Deadline to apply: October 7, 2022.
AACC board member and Kirkwood Community College President Lori Sundberg introduced Brookings Institute Senior Fellow Elaine Kamarck during this week’s Advocates in Action meeting. Karmarck spoke about how current political dynamics are shaping policy making in DC.
We were also fortunate to have CJ Powell, chief of staff for the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education, and Frank Woodbeck, executive director of grants & special projects at the College of Southern Nevada, speak at Advocates in Action.