News Links | June 22, 2021
System News | Opinion
Clark College graduates gather after long separation
Clark College’s newest graduates were separated by screens for much of their community college careers,
but the Class of 2021 — and even handfuls of 2020 graduates — finally came together
Thursday night to graduate and bid farewell.
The Columbian, June 18, 2021
Photos: Centralia College holds commencement ceremony
Centralia College hosted a modified in-person commencement ceremony from noon to 5:30 p.m. Friday.
Each graduate was allotted a specific number of tickets. There was no seating at the
event, and graduates left after getting diplomas. [Photo slideshow]
The Chronicle, June 18, 2021
Thumbs up for the CBC Class of 2021
Graduate Brock Rosen gives a thumbs up for a photo being taken by his father, Cory
Rosen, as he accepts his diploma from Columbia Basin College President Rebekah Woods during the first of a two-day drive-thru graduation ceremony
in the parking lot of the Pasco campus.
Tri-City Herald, June 18, 2021
Amazon ‘Sidewalk’ turned your Echo and Ring into Wi-Fi bridges; cybersecurity experts are wary
... Mark Neufville, a cybersecurity instructor at Spokane Falls Community College, said Sidewalk’s triple-encryption technology should be secure. “With anything, there’s
a security risk,” Neufville said. “But I don’t see this as a big risk. … I don’t think
it’s as big of an issue as a lot of people are going to make it out to be.”
Spokesman-Review, June 16, 2021
Peninsula College president Robins announces plans to retire in a year
Luke Robins, who has led Peninsula College since July 2012, has announced he will retire at the end of 2021-22, which promises
to be a busy year for the college. Robins, who will be 65 in January, told the board
of trustees that he would retire from his position as president of the college last
week so as to give them plenty of time to seek his replacement, he said this past
weekend.
Sequim Gazette, June 16, 2021
Peninsula College to host 59th commencement June 18-19
... “We’re excited for the opportunity to host an outdoor ceremony this year, and
are working with the county health department to provide safe in-person ceremonies
for our students,” Peninsula College president Dr. Luke Robins said.
Sequim Gazette, June 16, 2021
Gaining confidence: A Sunnyside dropout returns to school, graduates from YVC
In ninth grade, recent Yakima Valley College graduate and aspiring teacher Michael Rodriguez was frequently referred to the school
office for bad behavior. He would often talk back to teachers, show off in class and
eventually was caught with drugs on campus.
Yakima Herald, June 16, 2021
King's Pride refitting project building next generation of marine technicians
Mike Beemer walks up a wooden staircase to board the 39-foot King’s Pride. He hits
a counter at the top that now reads 1,703. “Show that number to someone before they
decide to refit a sailboat,” he said. That’s how many trips up the stairs Beemer and
a crew of Skagit Valley College marine technology students have taken up the stairs to work since the spring of 2020,
when the college purchased the vessel.
Skagit Valley Herald, June 16, 2021
Six Centralia College students receive Outstanding Student awards
Centralia College on Tuesday announced that six students have been honored with Outstanding Student
Awards. According to the college, the Outstanding Students are chosen for overcoming
obstacles in the pursuit of their degree, achieving their educational goals and being
active and engaged members of the college community.
The Chronicle, June 16, 2021
Skagit Valley College retools manufacturing program
A well-established program at Skagit Valley College is in the midst of a renaissance. Next fall, students in the college’s manufacturing
program will have more opportunities for hands-on learning, including being able to
take part in the college’s next business venture — the manufacturing of a practice
mandolin.
Skagit Valley Herald, June 15, 2021
Vaccinations required next year for WVC dorm residents
Proof of a COVID-19 vaccine will be required for Wenatchee Valley College dorm residents this fall, according to a Tuesday news release. The residence hall
will be at full capacity for the coming school year. This past year, the residence
hall remained open at 50% capacity, with no COVID-19 cases linked to the dorms.
Wenatchee World, June 15, 2021
EvCC recognizes SnoCo Black Heritage Committee leader
The Everett Community College Diversity and Equity Center bestowed DanVo’nique Bletson-Reed with the Malcolm X
Day 2021 Community Awareness Award. Bletson-Reed is the president of the Snohomish
County Black Heritage Committee, a nonprofit group that educates people about the
cultural roots and contributions of African-Americans ...
Everett Herald, June 14, 2021
CBC planning pop-up vaccine clinic this month
Columbia Basin College is partnering with the Benton Franklin Health District to offer a pop-up vaccine
clinic Thursday, June 24, distributing all three available COVID-19 vaccines. This
event is one of many that have been orchestrated by the health district, targeting
Franklin County, and targeting Spanish speakers.
KEPR, June 13, 2021
Trends | Horizons | Education
High court sides with ex-athletes in NCAA compensation case
The Supreme Court decided unanimously Monday that the NCAA can’t enforce rules limiting
education-related benefits — like computers and paid internships — that colleges offer
to student athletes. The case doesn’t decide whether students can be paid salaries.
PBS News Hour, June 21, 2021
Quantifying COVID impacts
About 40 percent of undergraduates experienced a financial disruption due to the COVID-19
pandemic, and 8.2 percent either withdrew (4.4 percent) or took a leave of absence
(3.8 percent) from their institution, according to a new report from the National
Center for Education Statistics on the ways the pandemic affected undergraduate student
finances, housing and enrollment.
Inside Higher Ed, June 17, 2021
Supporting mental well-being for students of color
The past year has brought both mental health and racial justice to the forefront for
many college leaders. A November 2020 survey of college presidents from the American
Council on Education found that more respondents rated the mental health of students
as a pressing issue than said the same about spring enrollment numbers.
Inside Higher Ed, June 17, 2021
Politics | Local, State, National
Tapping Covid rescue and recovery funds
... Sen. Patty Murray (D-Washington), chair of the committee, said congressional efforts
have helped students, but they will continue to need assistance when the pandemic
subsides. “The federal relief funds provided to colleges was a powerful and important
step forward,” Murray said in her opening statement.
Community College Daily, June 18, 2021
Democrats introduce legislation to double Pell Grant
A group of Democratic lawmakers introduced legislation Wednesday that would double
the Pell Grant over a five-year period and extend eligibility to undocumented students.
The Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2021 -- introduced by Democratic
senators Mazie Hirono of Hawaii and Patty Murray of Washington ...
Inside Higher Ed, June 17, 2021
Biden admin extends Title IX protections to transgender students
The U.S. Education Department on Wednesday expanded its interpretation of federal
sex protections to include transgender and gay students, a move that reverses Trump-era
policy and stands against proposals in many states to bar transgender girls from school
sports.
PBS News Hour, June 16, 2021
Blunt on the president’s free community college plan
Some Senate appropriators are questioning President Joe Biden’s plan to offer free
community college, especially when Pell grants typically cover tuition and fees for
those who qualify for them. They also wonder why the administration isn’t offering
the same proposal to other public and private higher education sectors.
Community College Daily, June 16, 2021
