June 14, 2024 | Issue # 262
This week, we welcomed teams of students from 12 community colleges – and their faculty mentors – to Washington, DC, for the Community College Innovation Challenge (CCIC) boot camp. These students pitched products and ideas that are aimed at solving real-world problems and improving technology, healthcare, and the environment. True innovation is happening at our colleges, encouraged and supported by faculty and staff.
Congrats to the top three winners — Perimeter College at Georgia State University, Dallas College, and County College of Morris — and all the CCIC teams who participated! Congratulations to AACC’s Associate Vice President Ellen Hause, Program Manager Courtney Larson, and Senior Vice President Jen Worth for leading a successful event, and thank you to Chief of Staff Tammy Reichelt, Senior Vice President Dr. Martha Parham, Publications Manager Tabitha Whissemore, Internet Content Editor Tina Henry-Barrus, and Associate Vice President Jim Hermes for your support. And thank you to our partner, the National Science Foundation.
This week the finalists for the Aspen Prize were announced. Congratulations to the 10 colleges that made the list. Among them was Wallace State Community College, led by AACC board member Dr. Vicki P. Karolewics.
I’d also like to extend my congratulations to AACC Senior Vice President for Strategic Initiatives Dr. Angel M. Royal. She has been elected chair of the Higher Ed Equity Network, which includes more than 25 organizations at the forefront of driving change and collaborating on creating equitable systems that embrace the full potential and value of Black, Latino/a/x, Indigenous, and other students who are harmed by persistent systemic barriers linked to their racial and ethnic identities
“Diving Into How Community Colleges Used HEERF Money”
A new study from the Community College Research Center provides a deeper dive into how two-year colleges used Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) money and highlights trends, even shifts in trends over the three-year period. Get the highlights in CC Daily.
“Black Male Achievers Program Put Student on Graduation Path”
The Black Male Achievers program at St. Louis Community College works to alleviate barriers that hinder students from reaching their personal, academic and career goals. Read about it in the AACC 21st Century Center blog.
Mark your calendars! The AACC 2025 Call for Abstracts will open on August 12 and close on September 30.
Registration for the 2024 Presidents Academy Summer Institute is now open. PASI will take place July 13-16 in Washington, DC. It is a professional development program for CEOs and presidents of member community colleges, providing intensive focus on current challenges, emerging trends, and opportunities unique to that position. Learn more here.
Get an Insider’s View on Washington at Advocates in Action
AACC’s Advocates in Action will take place September 16-17 in Washington, DC. It’s designed for community college leaders who want an insider’s view on how Washington formulates higher education policy and who want to become more involved in the federal legislative process. Learn more and register here.
I was honored to welcome the Achieving the Dream Board to Washington, DC, on June 5. Pictured with me are ATD Board Chair & Odessa College President Dr. Gregory Williams and ATD’s President & CEO Dr. Karen Stout.
On June 6, I attended a breakfast meeting hosted by Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT). Rep. Owens currently is the chair of the House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development.