Policy & advocacy
Federal funding update
Congressional negotiators have approved the final version of the fiscal year 2019 Labor, HHS and Education (LHHS) appropriations bill, and the news is mostly good for community colleges. The bill’s highlight for community colleges is a $100 increase in the Pell Grant maximum award, to $6,195, for the 2019-20 award year. Perkins State Grants were hiked $70 million and adult basic education saw a $25 million increase. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the LHHS bill should be enacted before the beginning of the federal fiscal year, which begins on October 1. Learn more in CC Daily.
Upcoming events
AACC Workforce Development Institute 2019
Community college workforce and economic development efforts are essential to the economic well-being of the U.S. Key to this work are collaborations with foundation, industry and federal partners. Register for AACC’s Workforce Development Institute (WDI) 2019: Skill Up, Step Up to hear promising practices, explore new opportunities, and celebrate all of the ways in which community colleges skill up and step up. WDI will take place January 30–February 2 in San Diego, California.
Also, back by popular demand is the WDI 2019 photo contest. Send no more than three high-resolution images (300 dpi) of workforce training programs that happen on your college campus (or in your community led by your college). The winning image will grace the cover of the WDI printed program. AACC may use other images for the WDI website, printed program and/or various media throughout the conference. The winning college will receive one free full WDI 2019 conference registration. Deadline to submit: October 15.
Program initiatives
Answer the Call for Proposals
Share your knowledge at the 99th AACC Annual Convention. The Call for Proposals is now open. AACC is seeking proposals that reflect the best thinking in the field informed by outcomes that demonstrate success. Please carefully read the guidelines before submitting your proposal. The deadline is October 31. The convention will take place April 13–16, 2019, in Orlando, Florida.
Submit nominations for AACC awards
You now can submit nominations for several of AACC’s awards — Outstanding Alumni and Leadership Awards, Distinguished Faculty, and the Awards of Excellence. Awards will be presented at AACC’s convention.
News and publications
Staying on track
Community colleges are implementing strategies to tie athletics to their retention and completion goals. Learn more in the August/September issue of Community College Journal, online now.
Next stop: success
Lack of accessible transportation is a barrier for many students. One New York college is trying to remove that barrier. Find out more at the AACC 21st Century Center.
Ohio colleges working to ensure a smooth election
Community colleges in Ohio are playing a role in ensuring that the computer systems used in upcoming elections are impervious to hacking. Read about it in CC Daily.
Opportunities from other organizations
Showcasing international education
IIE’s Heiskell Awards spotlight innovative and successful models for developing and expanding international education opportunities. There are five award categories for 2019 that align with the main themes of the IIE Summit. Nominations are due October 12.
Fulbright seminar
The Fulbright Community College Administrators Seminar to Russia allows community college administrators to meet with senior administrators, government officials and community representatives to familiarize themselves with Russian institutions and share how the U.S. community college system develops educational programs that combine workforce training and civic education. Applications are due October 15.
