News Links | January 9, 2020

System News | Opinion

Edmonds CC says it’s committed to developing STEM talent to meet industry needs

In September, Edmonds Community College will open its new 70,000-square-foot building aimed at meeting the region’s increasing demand for employees who are trained in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and nursing. ... “Edmonds CC’s new 70,000-square-foot building will serve the region’s increasing demand for employees who are trained in STEM and nursing,” said Edmonds CC President Dr. Amit B. Singh. “Our students will have access to a state-of-the-art facility and top-quality STEM education that meets industry needs.”
My Edmonds News, Jan. 7, 2020

Pierce College provides expert assistance for veterans seeking higher education

Drawing from his own time serving in the United States Navy, Pierce College’s Veterans Support Services Manager Andrew Pierce understands the challenges veterans face as they transition out of the military and into civilian life. His mission at the college is to connect veterans with the resources they need to smoothly transition out of the service – from assistance with food, counseling and housing, to textbooks, supplies and tutoring services. ... Veteran students at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom can also take advantage of the Veterans Resource Center, which features a textbook lending library, computers for student use, quiet study and tutoring areas, workshops, seminars and more.
The Suburban Times, Jan. 6, 2020

An ecosystem for job creation

... One of the communities she’s highlighted throughout her research is Walla Walla, WA, and the role Walla Walla Community College played in cultivating economic impact through its viticulture (wine) program. (Brian Duvall, head of the Walla Walla Chamber of Commerce is a former chamber head in the Roanoke area.)  In 2000, the wine industry, and private sources donated $5 million dollars to launch College Cellars of Walla Walla, a viticulture incubator program. The economic impact was notable. In 2000, there were 20 wineries in the community. By 2014, there were 140 wineries and countless jobs created.  
The Roanoker, Jan. 6, 2020

Clark College Foundation hires alumni director

The Clark College Foundation has selected its new alumni director, choosing Ed Boston, an announcement from the foundation announced last month. Boston comes from Georgia where he served as director of alumni affairs at Fort Valley State University, the announcement stated, a historically black public university. Outside of his work at Fort Valley State University, the foundation’s announcement noted Boston had 25 years of experience working for Mars Incorporated with a focus on team training and development. 
The Reflector, Jan. 6, 2020

Commentary: Path to apprenticeships now starts at high school

... Thanks to involved partners such as the Marysville School District and Everett Community College, we have been able to overcome barriers to this type of training, which typically result from stringent graduation requirements. A student can participate in the dual-credit RAP Program during their junior or senior year of high school. Students who successfully complete the program can graduate high school with their diploma, a college credential designed by Everett Community College, and a preferred entry option into the trade of their choice. 
Everett Herald, Jan. 5, 2020

Trends | Horizons | Education

Gates Foundation's new grants for 'intermediaries'

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on Wednesday announced a new $20 million grant program for 12 organizations that will act as intermediaries between a broad set of partner groups and colleges that are attempting substantial transformations around student success. "Pressure is mounting for colleges and universities to transform -- demand for an educated workforce is rising, financial pressures are intensifying and public confidence is wavering," the foundation said in a written statement. "A growing number of institutions are embracing the need to transform, and they seek networking, resources and guidance for their efforts."
Inside Higher Ed, Jan. 9, 2020

The EdX bachelor's degree

EdX is creating a new pathway to undergraduate online degrees -- the MicroBachelors. Much like MicroMasters, which edX launched in 2015, MicroBachelors are programs offered by universities through the edX platform that can be taken as a stand-alone credential or counted toward a full degree. Unlike the MicroMasters programs, the MicroBachelors programs target the 36 million Americans with some college but no degree. ... These stackable credentials are part of a larger trend of universities breaking their degrees down into shorter, less expensive and faster-to-attain qualifications that give people more pathways into the workforce. 
Inside Higher Ed, Jan. 9, 2020

What's in a domain name?

Most U.S. university websites have ended in “.edu” since the dawn of the internet, but in recent years the number of domain name options has exploded. New extensions such as “.university,” “.college,” “.degree” and “.education” present an opportunity to modernize the online branding of higher education institutions that, in many cases, selected their web address in the '80s and '90s. But it’s an opportunity few institutions have embraced, said Bob Brock, president of the Educational Marketing Group. Many institutions are buying these new domain names but aren’t actively using them, said Brock. Colleges are purchasing these addresses simply to protect their brands and prevent third parties from snapping them up.
Inside Higher Ed, Jan. 8, 2020

Poll on higher education's affordability and accessibility

Most adults in the U.S. (60 percent) say education beyond high school is available to anyone in the country who needs it, according to newly released results of a Gallup poll. That finding is similar to what Gallup found in 2015, the last time it asked that question. But the number has declined since 2011, when it was 71 percent. Those portions decline among younger respondents, however. For example, 46 percent of respondents who are 18 to 29 years old think higher education is available to anyone who needs it.
Inside Higher Ed, Jan. 8, 2020

Outstanding student loan portfolio now tops $1.5 trillion

The outstanding portfolio on federal student loans is now $1.51 trillion, according to data released by the Education Department on Friday. The direct student loan portfolio now represents 82 percent of the total, the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) portfolio represents 17 percent, and federal Perkins Loan program loans comprise less than 0.5 percent.
Inside Higher Ed, Jan. 6, 2020

Politics | Local, State, National

Bloomberg pledges funding for community colleges

Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire former New York City mayor and candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, pledged in unveiling his economic plan Wednesday to make “major new investments” in community and technical colleges aimed at preparing workers for higher-paying jobs in new industries. Bloomberg hasn’t yet released his full education proposal, and his All-In Economic Agenda was silent on high-profile issues like forgiving student loans. However, Bloomberg said in the plan he’d make “education and training a national priority.”
Inside Higher Ed, Jan. 9, 2020