News Links | April 29, 2021
System News | Opinion
Tri-Cities educator, leader appointed to WA state community college board
Martin Valadez was appointed to the state board that oversees community and technical
colleges. Gov. Jay Inslee picked Valadez for the nine-member State Board of Community and Technical Colleges, which coordinates and directs the 34 community and technical colleges in the state.
Tri-City Herald, April 27, 2021
Renton Technical College president named college CEO of the year
The Washington State Association of College Trustees selected Renton Technical College President Dr. Kevin McCarthy for the 2021 Chief Executive Officer Award. The award
recognizes exceptional leadership in furthering the mission of community and technical
colleges.
Renton Reporter, April 29, 2021
Biden’s plan to make community college tuition free could help Northwest students, local administrators say
... “I am personally excited and appreciative of the president’s understanding of
the value for community college and the critical role we play in the economy overall,”
said Community Colleges of Spokane Chancellor Christine Johnson. “Particularly for lower-income students, for whom we
really are the pathway to prosperity.”
The Spokesman-Review, April 29, 2021
Clark College announces plans for return to campus in fall
Last week Clark College published its 2021 fall class schedule, which includes 430 classes with on-campus
components. This is a major step by the college — which has been in remote operations
since March 2020 — to safely return to campus this fall.
Clark County Today, April 28, 2021
Sen. Patty Murray invites Rainier conservation leader to virtually attend Biden's Wednesday address to Congress
U.S. Senator Patty Murray, left, tours Lower Columbia College's Early Learning Center to hear about the challenges people have affording high-quality
child care in April 2018. Murray has been advocating for child care relief during
the COVID-19 pandemic. [Photo]
The Daily News, April 28, 2021
State awards Lower Columbia College $3.2M to design new $30M vocational building
A new vocational building at Lower Columbia College got the first thumbs-up it needed after the state legislature funded the $3.2 million
design process. Vice President of Administration Nolan Wheeler said the college was
“very excited to start the design process once the new biennium begins.” ... Capital
projects at community and technical colleges are funded from a state priority list.
Colleges submit a proposal to the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.
The Daily News, April 27, 2021
Two Bates Technical College students named to All-Washington Academic Team
Two Bates Technical College students have recently been named to the prestigious All-Washington Academic Team,
a program that recognizes two-year college students with high academic achievements
and a dedication to community service. ... A virtual event honoring the state’s All-Washington
Academic Team featured Governor Jay Inslee, and speakers from Phi Theta Kappa, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, scholarship sponsors KeyBank, WSECU, and more.
The Suburban Times, April 27, 2021
Watch: New student recreation center coming to CBC
You may have seen a big construction project as you drive along Columbia Basin College, Veronica Barriga takes inside the project and shows us what they community can expect.
Take a look. [Video]
NBC Right Now, April 26, 2021
Musical masterpiece: Spokane Symphony’s virtual series boasts innovation, collaboration and performance
... For Friday’s third episode, “Individualism,” Lowe interviewed Spokane Falls Community College philosophy professor Britni Weaver in between performances of solo-heavy music composed
by Haydn and performed by the symphony.
The Spokesman-Review, April 25, 2021
Peninsula College names student council for 2021-2022
Kascia Muscutt, Tommylia Dunbar and Mackenzie Huotari will serve as student body president
and vice presidents, respectively, as Peninsula College announced its’ student leadership team for the 2021-2022 academic year this week.
Sequim Gazette, April 24, 2021
Trends | Horizons | Education
Enrollment continues its decline
Spring undergraduate enrollment is down 5.9% compared to the same time last year,
according to the latest research by the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) Research
Center. This is the steepest decline in undergraduate enrollment since the beginning
of the pandemic.
Community College Daily, April 28, 2021
Seeking better data in hopes of better outcomes
Community college leaders want to collect more data about the basic needs of students
in order to help them have better academic outcomes. The leaders also care about data
that serve social justice imperatives, but many feel their campuses lack the resources
to gather this information in a more holistic way.
Inside Higher Ed, April 28, 2021
A growing awareness of social justice, basic needs and data
Community college provosts are increasingly aware of the benefits of meeting students’
basic needs — such as food and housing security — and see meeting these needs as part
of their institution’s responsibility, according to a new report by Ithaka S+R.
Community College Daily, April 28, 2021
State Department exempts international students from COVID travel bans
The State Department is making it somewhat easier for students in countries affected
by COVID-19-related travel bans to come to the U.S. this fall. The department announced
on Tuesday that students enrolled in academic programs starting Aug. 1 or later will
be eligible for exemptions from all regional COVID-19 travel restrictions currently
in place ...
Inside Higher Ed, April 28, 2021
Politics | Local, State, National
The Biden plan for free community college has a big challenge
Coming up with a national policy for a college system that is decentralized is a lot
tougher than it seems. As part of the $1.8 trillion American Families Plan, the Biden
administration plans to fund free community college, even as the administration steps
back from a more ambitious campaign promise of making public four-year colleges tuition-free
for most students.
The New York Times, April 28, 2021
American Families Plan calls for free community college
Free community college is a cornerstone of the Biden Administration’s $1.8 trillion
American Families Plan (AFP), which was officially announced today. The plan is designed
to grow the middle class, expand the benefits of economic growth to all Americans
and make the country more competitive.
Community College Daily, April 28, 2021
Washington Watch: America’s College Promise legislation introduced in House, Senate
... Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), chair of the Senate HELP Committee, noted that, “As
a former community college instructor in Washington State, I have personally seen
the positive change that community colleges make in students’ lives. These institutions
create pathways for students to pursue higher education and provide training for individuals
to enter the workforce.”
Community College Daily, April 28, 2021
