February 3, 2012
Issue #780
Policy and Advocacy
1. AACC BOARD BALLOTS MAILED
On February 1, 2012, the 2012 AACC Board of Directors election ballot and brochure, for board terms beginning July 1, 2012, were mailed to the CEOs of AACC member institutions whose dues were received by January 15, 2012. Each institution is entitled to one ballot. Names on the ballot are listed in random order. Completed ballots must be received in the AACC office by February 29, 2012, for tabulation. Ballots received after February 29, 2012, will not be counted. In addition, faxes and photocopies will not be accepted. Please return completed ballots to AACC Board Elections; One Dupont Circle NW, Suite 410; Washington, DC 20036. For questions, or if the elections materials were not received, contact Charisse Bazin Ash or 202-728-0200, ext. 280.
AACC Contact: Charisse Bazin Ash
2. NOMINATIONS ACCEPTED FOR PRESIDENTS ACADEMY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Serve on AACC’s Presidents Academy Executive Committee and be part of the discussion in matters relating to the responsibilities of chief community college administrators. The academy provides in-service professional development programs for chief executive administrators, who express their points of view to AACC. Vacancies are anticipated in states in four of the five regions. Contact Shirley Reed, chair of the nominating committee, by February 15, 2012, to nominate yourself or another AACC member president.
AACC Contact: Dr. Angel M. Royal
Grants and Partnerships
3. SCALING UP JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN TUNISIA
In hopes of improving higher education and workforce development programs at Tunisian institutions, Higher Education for Development (HED) has issued a Request for Applications (RFA) for Tunisia: Job Opportunities for Business Scale-Up 2011. HED anticipates making two awards of up to $500,000 each for 3-year higher education partnerships. The two partnerships are outlined in the RFA. Deadline is February 15, 2012.
AACC Contact: Wayne Wheeler
4. CIVIC AND DEMOCRATIC LEARNING GRANTS AVAILABLE
The Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) and The Democracy Commitment: An American Community College Initiative have issued a call for proposals to community colleges to join a 3-year curriculum and faculty development project, Bridging Cultures to Form a Nation: Difference, Community, and Democratic Thinking. The project will explore the humanities as a powerful medium for prompting and sustaining dialogue around diversity and democracy in the 21st century. The 10 colleges selected for the consortium will serve as regional leadership hubs for this work. The submission deadline is March 15.
AACC Contact: Gail Robinson
5. GET STUDENTS ON BOARD THIS ESSAY COMPETITION
What will public transportation and intercity bus service will look like in 2050? Students are encouraged to answer that question in the College and University Rural Public and Intercity Bus essay competition. The competition is happening in conjunction with the 20th National Conference on Rural and Intercity Bus Transportation, occurring in October. The first-place winner will receive $500. Deadline for entries is March 5, 2012, at 5:00 p.m. (CT).
AACC Contact: Tabitha Whissemore
6. PROMOTE LATINO STUDENT SUCCESS
Excelencia in Education is now accepting nominations for the 2012 Examples of Excelencia. This is the only national initiative to identify and promote programs and departments with significant evidence of improving educational achievement for Latino students in higher education. Selected programs will receive a financial award of $5,000, recognition at special events and in media and online communications, as well as inclusion in the 2012 edition of What Works for Latino Students in Higher Education and in the Growing What Works database. Nominations will be accepted online until 5:00 p.m. (ET) on April 16, 2012.
AACC Contact: Kevin Christian
Program Initiatives
7. AACC CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH
AACC honors the significant contributions and achievements that African Americans have made in U.S. and world history. Let us know what your campus is doing to celebrate.
AACC Contact: Kevin Christian
8. PLUS 50 IMPACTS LIVES
The Plus 50 Initiative Evaluation: Initiative Impact summarizes the growth and development of AACC’s Plus 50 Initiative 2008–2011. Working in partnership with community colleges across the country to improve programs and services for plus 50 students, evaluators found that the initiative touched thousands of lives and improved college programs serving adults age 50 and up. Building on this success, the new Plus 50 Encore Completion Program will pave the way for 10,000 plus 50 students to earn certificates or degrees in the high-demand fields of health care, education, and social services, enabling them to increase their labor market competitiveness while improving their communities.
AACC Contact: Mary Sue Vickers
9. YOUR COLLEGE, IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Every community college deserves its moment in the spotlight. AACC now features on its website the Community College Spotlight. Included will be college demographics, photos, a quote from the president, and information about unique programs and accomplishments. AACC staff members will reach out to your college when it’s your turn to be featured.
AACC Contact: Norma Kent
News and Social Media
10. "HELPING SMALL BUSINESSES TURN THE ECONOMIC TIDE"
Community college business development initiatives are helping communities rebuild economically after enduring downsizings and business closings. Find out more in Community College Times.
AACC Contact: Ellie Ashford
11. "ECONOMIC ENGINES"
Next-generation automotive professionals need to be flexible and multiskilled. Read more in the December/January digital Community College Journal. All AACC members and subscribers have free access with a simple login. Read, download or print stories, and share articles with your colleagues electronically.
AACC Contact: Sarah Lawler
Resources
12. A MUST-HAVE FOR YOUR BOOKSHELF
The Community College Story, 3rd edition, by George B. Vaughan, traces the evolution of this unique higher education institution, putting in context historical milestones, expanding mission, and dramatic growth. Preview the book and order online, or call 800-250-6557.
AACC Contact: Sarah Lawler
13. SERVING THE PLUS 50 POPULATION
Do you see lots of students over 50 on campus? You're not alone—plus 50 enrollment is on the rise. Jump Start Plus 50 is a free tool available to help you assess your college's programs and design programming to serve this population.
AACC Contact: Mary Sue Vickers
14. PRESIDENTS' ROUNDTABLE RELEASES DIRECTORY
The Presidents’ Roundtable of the National Council on Black American Affairs has recently released its 2012 Directory of African American Community College Presidents. View or download the directory online.
AACC Contact: Kevin Christian
15. 55,000 DEGREES
Lumina Foundation released a 7-minute video about the 55,000 Degrees program in Louisville, Kentucky. For anyone interested in metro-based approaches, the video shows the importance of public–private partnerships and strong involvement by the business community and includes a focus on adults with prior college credit.
AACC Contact: Mary Sue Vickers
16. CUNY EXPLORES "THE UNFORGIVING ECONOMY"
The Chancellor's Office of the City University of New York (CUNY), along with The New York Times in College, has published the 2012 history calendar, "The Unforgiving Economy." The calendar documents the history of the U.S. economy, with images from the La Guardia and Wagner Archives and New York Times archives. Photos and text from the calendar, as well as a smart phone app, are available on CUNY’s website.
AACC Contact: Tabitha Whissemore
Events and Services
17. YOU'VE SEEN THEM ON TV…
…and heard them on the radio. Come to the 92nd Annual AACC Convention in Orlando, Florida, to see them live: Mika Brzezinski, James Carville, and Mary Matalin! Register today.
AACC Contact: Tavia Cummings
18. ACT ON CIVIC LEARNING
The U.S. Department of Education recently released a call to action to make civic learning and democratic engagement as important as workforce training in college. Learn how The Democracy Commitment and the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification can help your college meet the call by attending "From Engagement to Completion: Building an Engaged Citizenry," a preconvention workshop to be held April 21, at the 2012 AACC Annual Convention in Orlando. Register in advance to ensure a seat in the workshop.
AACC Contact: Gail Robinson
19. WHAT DO COLLEGE SENIOR LEADERS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CAMPUS GREENING?
Creating a sustainable college makes a statement to students, the community, and corporate partners. "A Green Campus–Saving Money and Building Reputation," a preconvention workshop in conjunction with the AACC Annual Convention, will demonstrate how a college president can save campus resources and enhance the college’s reputation through going green. AACC SEED member colleges can receive a stipend to attend by e-mailing Katya Nekrasova. The session takes place April 21, 2012, in Orlando, Florida.
AACC Contact: Katya Nekrasova
20. SERVICE LEARNING CONFERENCE PROPOSALS
The Community College National Center for Community Engagement is accepting proposals to present at its 21st annual conference, May 23–25, 2012, in Scottsdale, Arizona. The conference theme is "Leaders Leading Leaders in Service Learning and Civic Engagement." Proposals must be submitted electronically and are due March 9.
AACC contact: Gail Robinson
21. EXPERIENCE MINORITY MALE STUDENT SUCCESS
Plan to attend the 3rd Annual QUEST Higher Education Conference at Baltimore City Community College, April 12–13, 2012. The theme this year is "Designing Innovative, Inspirational and Inviting Educational Programs to Retain and Graduate African American Males in Higher Education."
AACC Contact: Kevin Christian