May 5, 2023 | Issue # 235
I am honored to have been selected to serve on the newly formed Council on Higher Education as a Strategic Asset (HESA). The council represents a coalition of national leaders from multiple sectors working together on recommendations for ensuring that U.S. higher education institutions can deliver the workforce and educated citizenry needed to address critical national priorities.
Community colleges are a strategic asset for millions of students and communities – and for the nation as a whole. I’m honored to represent their voice on the council and pledge to have our students’ best interests at heart as the council drafts recommendations the send to the president, members of Congress, and other elected officials.
“ED to Grant Case-by-Case Extension of HEERF Dollars”
The U.S. Education Department (ED) will soon begin accepting requests from colleges who need an extra year to spend remaining allotted funding from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) provided during the Covid pandemic. Learn more in CC Daily.
“Students Excel in Dual-Language Biology Course”
ESL instructors at Salt Lake Community College have teamed up with biology class instructors to support English-language learners. Read about it in the AACC 21st Century Center blog.
Deadline to Submit Commission Nominations Extended
There’s still time to submit an application to serve on one of AACC’s nine commissions. We have extended the deadline to May 11 at 5:00 p.m. (ET). Learn more about AACC commissions here and download the application here.
Last week, AACC, in partnership with the National Science Foundation (NSF), announced the 12 finalist teams to advance to the final round of the Community College Innovation Challenge (CCIC), set to take place in June. You can read about these college students’ innovations here. Congrats to all the finalists!
Listen to the Latest CC Voice Episode
On the latest episode of the Community College Voice podcast, AACC talks with leaders from Cuyahoga Community College about engaging adjuncts to promote student success. Listen here.
Join the Next Peer-to-Peer Discussion
The next Peer-to-Peer session will take place on Zoom on May 17 at 2:00 p.m. (ET). Tarrant County College Northwest President Zarina Blankenbaker will lead this off-the-record discussion about becoming student-ready campuses. College presidents are encouraged to come with questions for their peers and to talk about campus successes. Register here.
Join us in Toronto, Ontario, July 15-18 for the 2023 AACC Presidents Academy Summer Institute(PASI). 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. You’ll leave with ready-to-use skills that you can apply back at their respective campuses. PASI also includes a special session for spouses and partners. Register here.
On Tuesday, April 25, I met with Dr. Keith Curry, president of Compton College, to discuss next steps for the LEVEL UP and Get REAL to advance Black learner excellence initiative.
On April 19-20, AACC staff visited Johnson County Community College in Kansas and their partner, the General Motors Fairfax Assembly and Stamping Plant. Pictured are JCCC President Dr. Andy Bowne, JCCC Vice President of Workforce Development & Continuing Education Elisa Waldman, JCCC Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs Gurbhushan Singh, JCCC Program Director of Business Solutions Sandra A. Johnson, GM Fairfax Team Leaders Mason Hurley and Patrick Donovan, and AACC Senior Vice President of Academic and Workforce Development Jen Worth.