April 18, 2025 | Issue # 280
On Wednesday, we closed out our 105th AACC Annual conference. I hope you left the conference energized and with new ideas to take back to your campuses. Thank you to our board chair, Dr. Sunny Cooke, for the excellent job she did presiding over the conference. And I want to thank all of you who attended and those who presented at any of the 200+ sessions that took place during the conference.
One of my favorite parts of AACC Annual is that it provides an opportunity to honor the hard work happening in our sector. Congratulations to all of our award winners and honorees who were celebrated at AACC Annual. Congratulations to the Awards of Excellence and Rising Star winners, who were honored at Tuesday night’s gala. Congratulations also to our three Leadership Award recipients: Deborah Floyd, Eloy Ortiz Oakley, and Robert Templin. And congratulations to our Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty and Outstanding Alumni Award recipients.
Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to the AACC Board of Directors for approving the designation of President Emeritus and renaming the Future Presidents Institute to the Walter G. Bumphus Future Presidents Institute upon my retirement on December 31, 2025. I am truly humbled.
“Ky. Taps Data Mapping to Improve Business Partnerships”
When the Kentucky Community & Technical College System (KCTCS) wanted to get a better understanding of the partnerships its 16 colleges had with business and industry, it launched a systemwide “mapping” initiative in spring 2022. Find out how they did it and what’s next in this CC Daily article.
In what ways can community colleges better support the needs of parenting learners? Learn about what’s working at some colleges in this CC Journal article.
On Monday, at AACC Annual’s Hail & Farewell Luncheon, I was pleased to deliver the State of the Association address. You can learn more about the work AACC has done over the last year in this video.
Send a Staff Member to Roueche-FLI or FPI
The John E. Roueche Future Leaders Institute (Roueche-FLI) and the AACC Future Presidents Institute (FPI) will be held June 2-4 in Washington, DC. Participants can hone leadership skills and engage in a dialogue with experienced community college leaders, along with developing a network of colleagues from around the country. For more information, click here.
Registration is now open for the Presidents Academy Summer Institute (PASI), which will be held July 12-15 in Dana Point, California. The three-day institute focuses on issues of importance to success in the role of the community college president. The institute also provides opportunities for newer presidents to develop mentor-mentee relationships with more seasoned presidents.
Apply to Serve on AACC Commission
You have until May 2 at 5:00 p.m. (ET) to submit an application to serve on one of AACC’s nine commissions. AACC commissions were established to provide advice to the AACC board and staff, encourage collaboration among community college entities and organizations, provide a forum for focused conversation about the important community college issues and priorities of the day, and more.
On Saturday, April 12, I attended the AACC Outgoing Board Dinner, held at the Musicians Hall of Fame Museum in Nashville. Pictured with me (L to R) are board members Austin Community College President Russell Lowery-Hart, Reading Area Community College President Susan Looney, Harper College President Avis Proctor, Southwest Tennesee Community College President Tracy Hall, Phi Theta Kappa President & CEO Lynn Tincher-Ladner, Palm Beach State College President Ava Parker, and North Central State College President Dorey Diab.
I was pleased to talk with journalist and television host Tamron Hall at the opening plenary session of AACC Annual on Sunday, April 13.
On Monday, April 15, I was the guest of honor at a retirement celebration party. Thank you to the AACC Board, staff, college presidents, friends and family who attended, including my wife Dr. Aileen Bumphus. And a special thank you to Dr. Angel Royal for organizing the event.