News Links | May 24, 2022
System News | Opinion
Student, activist and healer: This Native veteran fights for mental health, social justice
... When he returned to the U.S., he attended Tacoma Community College and created a veteran student group, but providing for his family came first. “I
worked a lot of overtime and took one to three classes a quarter. I chipped away at
that degree forever and changed my major a few times. It took eight years to get a
two-year degree,” Urquhart said.
Tri-City Herald, May 23, 2022
State program focuses on trades skills for Southwest Washington students
... Through the Lower Columbia College's career and technical education program, 18 high schools and districts — including
Longview School District, Kelso High School, Rainier High School and the Vancouver
School District — currently offer college credits for students.
Yakima Herald-Republic, May 22, 2022
Edmonds College to host 9th annual Memorial Day ceremony May 26
... “We are very proud to host our ceremony in person this year, as it will provide
an opportunity for people to reconnect and take comfort in knowing our proud traditions
are alive and well,” said Chris Szarek, Edmonds College executive director of facilities and U.S. Navy veteran.
My Edmonds News, May 22, 2022
Centralia College to break ground on new athletic field May 25
After over 20 years of planning and nine years of student fundraising, Centralia College will finally break ground on its new Multipurpose Athletic Field at 2 p.m. on Wednesday,
May 25. The groundbreaking will take place in front of the Michael Smith Gymnasium
at Centralia College’s campus in downtown Centralia.
Centralia Chronicle, May 20, 2022
5 reasons to consider community college
... For example, Washington residents attending North Seattle College will pay a little more than $4,100 per year in tuition and fees (without financial
aid). Those attending the University of Washington—Seattle, on the other hand, will
pay just over $12,000 per year.
U.S. News & World Report, May 19, 2022
Trends | Horizons | Education
Aid office staff shortages reach ‘crisis,’ survey shows
Increasing staffing shortages at college financial aid offices have been a point of
concern throughout the pandemic. According to a recent survey, reduced capacity, high
turnover rates and difficulty hiring over the past two years have institutions worried
about long-term impacts, including the ability to meet federally mandated staffing
requirements.
Inside Higher Ed, May 24, 2022
Q&A: Cultivating a diverse clean energy workforce
Supply challenges with traditional energy sources, climate change and new federal
laws to improve the nation’s infrastructure have thrust clean energy into the spotlight
again. But it’s not only about production. It’s also about developing skilled workers
for those jobs. That’s where the National Clean Energy Workforce Alliance comes in.
Community College Daily, May 24, 2022
Education Department to reform student loan servicing system
The Education Department’s Office of Federal Student Aid announced a new plan Thursday
to reform the student loan servicing system that oversees the 35 million borrowers
with federal student loans. The plan, called the Unified Servicing and Data Solution
(USDS) ...
Inside Higher Ed, May 23, 2022
Q&A: Planning for the futures
How can community colleges better plan for the future (or, better yet, futures)? Developing
your futures mindset is a good start. Parminder K. Jassal, founder/CEO of Unmudl Skills-to-Jobs
Marketplace and of SocialTech.ai, has partnered with community and technical colleges
in this work.
Community College Daily, May 23, 2022
DataPoints: Perceptions of trade careers, STEM equity
A new report from international science-based manufacturer 3M highlights persistent
gaps in Americans’ views on education and careers related to STEM and the skilled
trades. The report observes that the skilled trades continue to have an image problem.
Community College Daily, May 23, 2022
Politics | Local, State, National
Calls for Biden to cancel the widespread financial burden of student debt grow louder
President Biden has indicated he will soon announce a decision on whether he will
cancel $10,000 in student debt for college graduates. It’s a decision being widely
anticipated but also much debated over its scope and merits.
PBS News Hour, May 20, 2022