Editor’s note: The monthly AACC Letter, which was previously sent to members of the American Association of Community Colleges via email, is now AACC News & Notes, and will be published in CC Daily the third Tuesday of every month.
Policy & Advocacy
AACC pre-NLS legislative update webinar
AACC will host a free webinar February 7 at 3:30 p.m. (ET) on federal policy issues that will be featured at the 2018 National Legislative Summit (NLS). The briefing will focus on this year’s legislative and regulatory agenda, including DACA, federal funding, the Pell Grant program, Higher Education Act and Perkins CTE Act reauthorizations, and more. There will be time for questions and answers. Register online.
What would the PROSPER Act’s risk-sharing plan cost your college?
House legislation to reauthorize the Higher Education Act (PROSPER Act, H.R. 4508) would hold colleges financially accountable for student completion – i.e., impose risk-sharing – by changing the rules for how much Title IV aid a college must return to the U.S. Department of Education for students who withdraw during an enrollment period. By answering the questions on this form, you can estimate how much this will cost your college and provide valuable information for AACC’s advocacy efforts. Read more about risk-sharing here.
Upcoming Events
Register for the AACC Annual Convention
Join AACC April 28–May 1 in Dallas, Texas, for a gathering of more than 2,000 community college presidents and senior administrators, as well as international educators, representatives of business/industry and federal agencies. Register now.
Be honored at the Hail & Farewell Luncheon
The Hail & Farewell Luncheon is AACC’s opportunity to wish a fond farewell to retiring CEOs, as well as hail new and 25-year CEOs. If you fit into one of these categories, submit a form by March 5 so AACC can recognize you. The Hail & Farewell program will take place at AACC’s convention.
Save the date
AACC’s John E. Roueche Future Leaders Institute (Roueche-FLI) and Future Presidents Institute will be held June 24–27 in Washington, D.C. Roueche-FLI is an innovative leadership seminar designed for mid-level community college administrators. FPI is an intensive program for senior leaders aspiring to become community college presidents. Stay tuned for more information.
Grants & Partnerships
Inviting students to use STEM to impact the world
AACC, in partnership with the National Science Foundation, is hosting the fourth annual Community College Innovation Challenge (CCIC) competition. CCIC invites community college students to work alongside a faculty mentor and an industry partner to craft innovative STEM-based solutions for real-world problems. Ten selected community colleges will receive travel support to attend an Innovation Boot Camp in June, in Alexandria, Virginia. The Boot Camp will provide hands-on learning opportunities and include a high-profile reception on Capitol Hill. The top two teams will receive cash prizes. Deadline to apply: February 14.
News & Publications
“Clearing the path”
A new cohort of colleges in Washington state will work to implement Guided Pathways. Read about it at the AACC 21st Century Center.
Community College Leaders on Workforce Development
In this book co-published by AACC and Rowman & Littlefield, visionary community college leaders present their views about the present challenges and future approaches needed for community colleges to be successful. Buy it online at Rowman & Littlefield.
Resources
Webinar on apprenticeships for culinary/pastry students
American Technical Publishers and Westmoreland Community College will host a free webinar on February 6 at noon (ET) focusing on the requirements and benefits of offering a registered apprenticeship for culinary/pastry students. Register online.
Opportunities from Other Organizations
Participate in this presidents’ survey
Inside Higher Ed’s 2018 Survey of College and University Presidents closes January 31. College presidents should have received emails from Gallup with a subject line referring to the Inside Higher Ed Survey of Presidents and a link to the survey. Contact Doug Lederman if you haven’t received the survey, which gauges how campus chief executives see their institutions faring right now, the first year of the Trump presidency and higher ed’s image with the public.
Support for community college students studying abroad
The State Department’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program offers grants of up to $5,000 to U.S. undergraduate students of high financial need who are participating in credit-bearing study abroad programs or international internships. Students studying a critical-need language may be eligible for an extra grant of up to $3,000. All applications are due March 6 by 11:59pm (CT).
Equity, inclusion and leadership
The National Council on Black American Affairs–Northeast Region will hosts it 2018 Regional Conference, March 15–16 at Bronx Community College in New York. This year’s conference theme, “Equity, Inclusion and Leadership: A Role for Community Colleges,” aims to use research to address leadership, political activism and diversity issues facing community colleges.
