September 27, 2024 | Issue # 269
A opens in a new windowreport came out this week from Apprenticeships for America citing that, as of 2023, 541 community or technical colleges were registered apprenticeship “sponsors,” but only 208 of these colleges had an active apprentice. While community colleges are ideal intermediaries to expand apprenticeships nationally, there are challenges, particularly with funding and getting companies to participate. I was delighted to participate this week – along with AACC’s Jen Worth and Dr. Martha Parham – in a roundtable discussion about these challenges and about what successful apprenticeship models look like. Though apprenticeships certainly are not new, there’s always room for reflection and improvement.
I’d like to congratulate Miami Dade College (MDC) and its leader – an AACC Board member – Madeline Pumariega. The college earned a spot on U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Colleges Rankings. MDC secured the number four spot among Top Public Schools in the South Region and ranking number 18 among all colleges in the South.
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“State Efforts Provide Models for Workforce Pell ”
As Congress considers Workforce Pell, lawmakers should examine how much state community college systems have already accomplished with existing but limited state-funded, short-term vocational programs and related scholarship programs, according to this opens in a new windowCC Daily article.
opens in a new window“Healthcare Programs Integrate Interprofessional Education in Curriculum”
Healthcare programs at Southeast Technical College in South Dakota are integrating interprofessional education (IPE) into curricula for all health students to experience this fall. Read about it in the opens in a new windowAACC 21st Century Center blog.
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ED’s New Advising Playbook
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) released a opens in a new windownew resource, “Implementing Holistic Advising and Wraparound Services to Equitably Improve Postsecondary Student Success: A Playbook.” The Advising Playbook provides higher education leaders with research and resources for implementing comprehensive, integrated advising models to support students’ postsecondary journeys. ED will also host a webinar on October 2 to spotlight the Advising Playbook and convene experts from the field to discuss effective advising practices, as well as key tools and resources institutions can use to bring this work back to their campuses. RSVP for the webinar opens in a new windowhere.
opens in a new windowFAFSA Updates from ED
On September 23, ED sent a letter and white paper to leadership at all institutions of higher education that included details on improvements underway for the 2025–26 FAFSA cycle. Didn’t receive it? Read cover letter from Secretary Cardona opens in a new windowhere. The white paper, “A Focus on Improving the FAFSA Experience: Updates, actions, and a path forward for the 2025–26 cycle,” can be found opens in a new windowhere.
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Answer the Call for Abstracts for AACC Annual
Do you have an amazing program at your college that deserves to be shared? AACC is now accepting abstract submissions for consideration for inclusion on the agenda for AACC 2025. Learn about the different session tracks opens in a new windowhere. The deadline to submit is October 16 at 4:59 p.m. (ET). AACC Annual will be held April 12-16 in Nashville, Tennessee.
opens in a new windowShow Us What You’ve Got
We want to celebrate your great work at AACC Annual! We are accepting nominations for the opens in a new windowAwards of Excellence, opens in a new windowLeadership Award (Hall of Fame), opens in a new windowLeaders of the Year and Rising Stars, opens in a new windowOutstanding Alumni, and opens in a new windowDale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty until October 25 at 2:00 p.m. (ET).
opens in a new windowSubmit Nominations for the AACC Board of Directors
The call for nominations for consideration for the 2025 AACC Board of Directors slate is open. The deadline for submitting nominations is Friday, October 7, at 5:00 p.m. (ET). Please submit all nominations via opens in a new windowthis form. All nominees must be CEOs in good standing with the association. The slate will be set upon approval of the AACC Board of Directors during its November 15 meeting. Those nominated but not selected by the committee may have their names added to the slate via the petition process. They must submit 50 letters of endorsement from AACC member CEOs by December 31. Letters must be submitted on college letterhead with the signature of the nominating CEO. Questions? Contact AACC Chief of Staff opens in a new windowTammy Reicheltcreate new email.
On Monday, September 16, I attended AACC’s Advocates in Action, where I provided the welcome and opening remarks.