April 21, 2023 | Issue # 234
Earlier this month, a national article called out community colleges for low success rates, “red tape and lack of support” for students. The article generated a lot of buzz, but it didn’t paint an accurate picture of community colleges.
We’re all aware of the data, but we’re also all aware of the tireless work we’ve done to close achievement gaps. No one in higher education works harder than those in the community college sector. Take a look at this Viewpoint piece in CC Daily, written by AACC Senior Vice President of Public Relations Dr. Martha Parham, that counters the article. We must set our own narrative. We must proudly shout our accomplishments. Are we perfect? No. But we have thousands of success stories and no one can tell those stories better than us.
Speaking of success…congratulations to Amarillo College and Imperial Valley College for being named winners of the 2023 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence! And congratulations to all the finalist colleges. Although the outcomes may not have caught up with the innovations you have implemented, it was wonderful to see your hard work recognized yesterday.
Diversity among college and university CEOs is not keeping up with the composition of their institutions’ students. Most college presidents remain older, white and male, according to the newest survey of U.S. college presidents by the American Council on Education (ACE). Get a breakdown of the data in CC Daily.
“Women Welders Forge Their Futures for Life After Prison”
A group of women made history in March when they graduated from a new welding certificate program at Central Maine Community College. Seven of the eight women are incarcerated and residents at the Southern Maine Women’s Re-entry Center. Learn more in this AACC 21st Century Center blog post.
Commission Applications Due May 4
AACC commissions were established to provide advice to the AACC Board and staff, encourage collaboration among community college entities and organizations, provide a forum for focused conversation about the important community college issues and priorities of the day, and more. If you are interested in serving on one of the nine AACC commissions, submit an application by May 4 at 5:00 p.m. (ET). Learn more about the commissions here.
The AACC Presidents Academy Summer Institute (PASI) is being held in Toronto, Ontario, July 15-18. PASI focuses on issues of critical importance to success in the role of the community college president, providing a mix of content experts and interaction around related case studies that result in the development/acquisition of ready-to-use skill sets that participants can apply back at their respective campuses. PASI also includes a special session for spouses and partners. Register here.
Invest in Your Staff’s Leadership Development
The next AACC John E. Roueche Future Leaders Institute (Roueche-FLI) and Future Presidents Institute (FPI) will take place June 1-3 in Washington, DC. Roueche-FLI is designed for department chairs, deans, assistant/associate deans, or directors who look to advance into a senior leadership role. FPI is designed for senior leaders aspiring to the community college presidency. Registration is open for both.
On April 13, I traveled to Cuyahoga Community College where I participated in various events for Dr. Michael Baston’s presidential inauguration. I was honored to provide comments during Dr. Baston’s inauguration ceremony on April 14. Pictured with me are AACC board members from HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, President Dr. John “Ski” Sygielski, St. Petersburg College President Dr. Tonjua Williams, and Tri-C President Dr. Michael Baston.
On April 20, I attended and provided comments at the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence ceremony in Washington, DC. Pictured with me are the winners of the 2023 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, Amarillo College President Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart and Imperial Valley College Superintendent/President Dr. Lennor Johnson.