Many of you are aware that the U.S. Department of Education has proposed sweeping new regulations for the policies and procedures that accrediting agencies must follow to be recognized as “gatekeepers” for the purposes of federal student aid. Below are AACC’s core positions on the accreditation Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). We encourage you to […]
Community College Minute, August 31, 2026
Community College Minute, August 24, 2026
Focus Forward, August 19, 2026
August 19, 2026 I wish you all the best over the next couple of weeks as you welcome new, talented students to your colleges. I hope the inspiration they bring overcomes the many tasks that always accompany the start of a busy semester. The U.S. Department of Education (ED) last week released a new […]
Focus Forward, August 5, 2026
August 5, 2026 I am grateful for the AACC Board of Directors, who are in Washington, DC, this week, engaging with our staff and hearing about the progress being made towards the association’s goals. Board members play an essential role in carrying messages about your colleges’ needs and aspirations, and I encourage you to communicate […]
A Joint Response to the U.S. Department of Education’s Call to Action
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 12, 2026 AACC Contact: Meghan Gibbons 202.744.9288 mgibbons@aacc.nche.edu AASCU Contact: Kellee Edmonds 202.478.4662 edmondsk@aascu.org WASHINGTON, DC — The American Association of Community Colleges and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities together share several perspectives on Secretary Linda McMahon’s August 3 letter and her call to action […]
AACC Pre-Advocates in Action Briefing Webinar
In this webinar, the AACC government relations team will preview the “Blue Sheet” detailing AACC’s latest federal legislative priorities that will be provided to attendees of AACC’s Advocates in Action event the following week. Whether or not you plan to attend AiA, AACC members are encouraged to join this webinar to learn more about the […]
AACC Federal Policy Update Webinar
The AACC government relations team reviews the latest policy developments in Washington, DC. Learn what you need to know to be a better advocate and leader at your institution. Topics covered includes federal funding, accreditation regulations, community college agricultural programs, the Trump administration’s Call to Action, Workforce Pell, and more. Please note: Date & Time: […]
McMahon’s ‘National Call to Action’ Draws Measured Response From Higher Education
AACC President and CEO DeRionne Pollard noted that many of the criticisms the secretary had don’t apply to her sector. “We are open access, have affordable tuition and fees, sustain tight connections to business needs and are deeply trusted in our communities. Economic mobility for our graduates is a top priority,” Pollard said.