January 5, 2024 | Issue # 251
Happy New Year! I hope you had some time for rest and reflection over the holidays.
On January 2, the U.S. Department of Education released six issue papers across a range of categories to further its goals that students are well served by the institutions of higher education and that Federal Student Aid programs work in their best interest. The topics will be discussed during the first meeting of the Institutional Quality and Program Integrity Committee, which will happen January 8-11. You can find the papers and more information on the meeting here.
ED also released a list of the individuals who will serve on 2024 Negotiated Rulemaking Program Integrity and Institutional Quality Committee. We’re thrilled to see community colleges represented on the committee. I’d like to congratulate Clark State College President Jo Alice Blondin who was selected specifically as the Public Two-Year Institutions of Higher Education representative, and Rowan College at Burlington County President Michael Cioce who was selected as the alternate in that category.
“ED Grants Aim to Help Rural Students Attend College”
In an effort to boost college enrollment and completion rates among students in rural areas, the U.S. Education Department is awarding $44.5 million in grants to 22 higher education institutions, including eight community colleges and a state system. Read about the grants in CC Daily.
“Program Changes — Even Saves — Lives”
Through Milwaukee Area Technical College’s Integrated Education and Training program, students can earn college credit while simultaneously completing their alternative high school credential, like a GED. Learn how this program changed one man’s life in this AACC 21st Century Center post.
White House Webinar for Community Colleges
The White House is hosting a webinar for community colleges on January 8 at 12:00 p.m. (ET) —co-hosted by the Office of the First Lady, Domestic Policy Council, National Economic Council, and the Office of Public Engagement—to discuss how colleges can commit to the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Sprint. You can register for the webinar here.
We’re off to the races! Registration is now open for the 2024 AACC Annual conference, which will be held in Louisville, Kentucky, April 5-9. Register here. Also open is the Call for Abstracts, so submit your session proposal by October 31.
Nominate, Nominate, Nominate
It’s time to submit nominations for AACC awards. We are accepting nominations for the Outstanding Alumni Awards and the Leadership Award until October 20. The nomination period for the Awards of Excellence, Leaders of the Year, and Rising Stars is open until December 15.
Send Your Workforce Development Staff to WDI
Registration is open for the 2024 AACC Workforce Development Institute (WDI), which will be held in New Orleans, Louisiana, January 23-26. The 2024 WDI theme is “Bridges.” WDI brings together new and seasoned community college-based workforce and economic development professionals to discuss innovative strategies and promising practices in workforce and economic development.