News Links | August 26, 2021
System News | Opinion
Focused on cybersecurity
The White House this week announced a series of initiatives to strengthen the nation’s
cybersecurity, including efforts to develop and train a larger and more diverse cybersecurity
workforce. One of the initiatives includes the designation of the National Cybersecurity
Training and Education Center at Washington’s Whatcom Community College as the National Science Foundation’s new Advanced Technological Education National
Cybersecurity Center.
Community College Daily, Aug. 26, 2021
Clark College event promotes trades class for women
... “We know that, even in this day and age, women can be discouraged from pursuing
careers in fields like automotive technology and welding,” said Armetta Burney, Clark College interim dean of Workforce Professional Technical Education and STEM. “And yet for
years we’ve seen our female students succeed in these programs and enter the workforce.
The college is holding this event in hopes of showing women the range of career opportunities
available to them.”
The Columbian, Aug. 25, 2021
WVC policy update removes philosophical vaccine exemption for staff
Wenatchee Valley College employees can’t claim a philosophical exemption to getting a COVID-19 vaccine, according
to a policy update announced Monday by WVC President Jim Richardson. Exemptions for
medical and religious reasons still stand. The policy change was needed to bring the
WVC’s previously announced vaccine rules into compliance with state mandates announced
Aug. 18 by Gov. Jay Inslee.
Wenatchee World, Aug. 24, 2021
24 hours: Kristi Grassman
... My first meeting is with South Seattle College and construction employers about the future of the Wood Technology Center. It’s my
job to bring all 34 community and technical colleges and employers together to discuss
the needs of the workforce to ensure the curriculum will produce the skill set needed
on the job.
425 Business, Aug. 24, 2021
Out of war-ending chaos comes a wave of new Americans
... Van Dinh-Kuno, executive director of the Everett Community College-based Refugee and Immigrant Services Northwest, said her organization has helped
resettle over 20 Afghan families in Snohomish County in the past year. “We could receive
more people in … short order,” she said, adding she had never heard of Afghan families
coming to Snohomish County before 2020.
Everett Herald, Aug. 22, 2021
Two Walla Walla Valley wine professionals named to Wine Enthusiast’s 2021 40 Under 40 Tastemakers list
... Drury is the General Manager of North Slope Management and Vineyard Manager and
Viticulturist for Seven Hills Vineyard in Milton-Freewater, Oregon. Drury, a Walla
Walla native, graduated from Walla Walla Community College’s Institute for Enology & Viticulture, and now oversees six vineyards accounting for
300 acres of grapes in the Walla Walla Valley AVA.
Walla Walla Wine, Aug. 19, 2021
VIDEO: Get a degree in Fire Science! New college program announced at Joint Training Facility in West Seattle
... Enrollment is under way for a program that’s the first of its kind in King County,
an associate degree in Fire Science, offered through North Seattle College but with instruction mostly online, so geography won’t be a barrier for attendance.
West Seattle Blog, Aug. 9, 2021
Trends | Horizons | Education
Pulling out all the stops
Community colleges are trying a host of strategies -- cash incentives, marketing campaigns,
ice cream socials, free books, re-enrollment drives -- to attract students this fall
after steep enrollment declines during the pandemic. Whether the expanding array of
recruitment strategies will work remains unclear as community colleges continue to
register students for the fall semester.
Inside Higher Ed, Aug. 26, 2021
Higher education is proven to help people in prison. New Pell grants aim to boost enrollment.
More incarcerated people in the United States may soon have the chance to take college
courses, thanks to the expansion of an Obama-era program that makes higher education
accessible in prison. The U.S. Department of Education announced last month it will
expand the Second Chance Pell experiment to support up to 200 colleges and universities
in offering prison education programs, up from the 131 institutions currently participating.
PBS News Hour, Aug. 25, 2021
State looks at college enrollment goals for high school students
The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) met Aug. 23 to discuss legislative
proposals to meet the state’s goals of getting 70% of Washington to have some form
of post-secondary education. The proposals are looking to address some of the barriers
that inhibit Washingtonians from seeking higher education through a four-year, two-year
or technical program.
Kent Reporter, Aug. 25, 2021
Department will not enforce Title IX provision struck down by court
The Department of Education said Tuesday that it will immediately cease enforcement
of a part of the 2020 Title IX regulations that prohibits decision makers in sexual
misconduct investigations from considering evidence by parties or witnesses if they
don’t participate in cross-examination.
Inside Higher Ed, Aug. 25, 2021
Politics | Local, State, National
Removing barriers for students with disabilities
A bipartisan, bicameral bill introduced last month contains a proposal for a simple
policy change that would make a considerable difference in how students with disabilities
access postsecondary education. The Respond, Innovate, Succeed and Empower Act, or
RISE Act, would allow students with a disability to use documentation from their secondary
education as proof that they have a disability and need accommodations while attending
a college or university.
Inside Higher Ed, Aug. 26, 2021