December 13, 2024 | Issue # 273
This is the last CEO to CEO Newsletter of 2024. As the end of the year approaches, I’ve been reflecting on how fortunate I am to have landed in the community college sector all those years ago. The people working in this sector are the most caring, most hard-working individuals in higher education. The difference they make in students’ lives is profound. And it’s not only students’ lives that are being changed – it’s entire communities.
I’m not certain what 2025 will hold – my crystal ball is on the fritz – but I do know that our mission will remain the same and our impact will be just as, if not more, profound than ever. I also know that AACC will be here for you to keep you informed and help guide you through whatever may come our way.
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opens in a new window“A Steady Drop Projected for High School Grads”
The long-expected drop in high school graduates is coming, but it will be gradual rather than a “demographic cliff,” and it will impact racial/ethnic groups and regions differently, with some populations and states likely to see increases, according to a new report from WICHE. Get the details in this opens in a new windowCC Daily article.
opens in a new window“Helping Students Transition to College-Level Courses”
How could Yakima Valley College make the transition from College and Career Readiness (CCR) courses to college-level classes smoother for its students? That’s the question the CCR Division recently tackled with the launch of a new program. Learn about the program in this opens in a new window AACC 21st Century Center blog post
opens in a new windowATAIN Helps Streamline Transfer for Students
AACC is proud to be a partner in the AI Transfer and Articulation Infrastructure Network (ATAIN). ATAIN will generate AI-informed course equivalencies nationwide to streamline the transfer process for community college students. Your college can opens in a new windowapply to be part of the first ATAIN cohort. You can learn more about ATAIN and how you can become involved opens in a new windowhere.
opens in a new windowListen to the Latest Episode of CC Voice Podcast
In the latest episode of the Community College Voice podcast, Linda Garcia, executive director at the Center for Community College Student Engagement, talks about the center’s new report on student mental health. opens in a new windowListen here.
opens in a new windowRegister for AACC Annual
Cross one more thing off your end-of-year to-do list: Register for opens in a new windowAACC Annual. Join 2,000 of your community college colleagues in Nashville, Tennessee, to network, learn, and be inspired. AACC Annual will take place April 12-16. opens in a new windowRegister here.
opens in a new windowSend Your Workforce Staff to WDI
AACC’s 2025 opens in a new windowWorkforce Development Institute (WDI) is less than 6 weeks away. WDI will take place January 28-31 in Coronado, California. It’ll be a great professional development opportunity for new and seasoned community college-based workforce and economic development professionals. opens in a new windowRegister online.
On Wednesday, December 4, my wife, Dr. Aileen Bumphus, and I were honored to attend a holiday reception at the White House.
On Sunday, December 8, I attended a retirement celebration for Dr. Belle Wheelan. Belle has been president of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools’ Commission on Colleges for 20 years.
opens in a new windowWhere’s Walter.