News Links | March 11, 2021
System News | Opinion
Edmonds College student Ayesha Bodiat honored with Transforming Lives award
The Edmonds College Board of Trustees awarded Ayesha Bodiat with its 2021 Transforming Lives award. “The
Board of Trustees is deeply committed to and inspired by the success of our students,
many of whom overcome daunting obstacles to achieve their educational goals,” said
EC Board Chair Carl Zapora. “Ayesha’s story is one of courage and grit, and we are
thrilled to recognize her achievements with the Transforming Lives award.”
My Edmonds News, March 11, 2021
Washington state to get billions of dollars for schools, transit and cities as COVID-19 relief bill clears Congress
... Washington’s 34 community and technical colleges also will get a share — an important
boost for a system whose student population is nearly half students of color and is
the front line for laid-off workers seeking job retraining, said Jan Yoshiwara, executive
director for the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.
The Seattle Times, March 10, 2021
Wenatchee Valley College machining program awarded Gene Haas grant
Wenatchee Valley College announced Tuesday that its machining program received a $10,000 grant from the Gene
Haas Foundation. Machining Faculty Micky Jennings said the grant allows students to
be able to purchase quality tools, like a $100 pair of calipers instead of a cheap
$10 pair.
560 KPQ, March 10, 2021
Phi Theta Kappa selects TCC president as 2021 Paragon President
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the international honors society for community and technical
colleges, named Tacoma Community College (TCC) President Ivan L. Harrell, II, Ph.D., as a 2021 Paragon President. The award recognizes
new college presidents for their outstanding support of student success. Harrell’s
award letter referenced his efforts to support student leaders during the pandemic.
The Suburban Times, March 10, 2021
New plan earmarks millions of dollars for pre-K programs
... The remaining one-third of the $800,000 will be equally split three ways between
Edmonds College, Everett Community College and Washington State University Everett. The colleges will be required to spend 10%
of their share on early learning programs.
Everett Herald, March 10, 2021
BTC mass vaccination clinic starting
After conducting a successful pilot effort on Saturday, March 6, the Community Vaccination
Center at Bellingham Technical College opens to the public this week and will be accepting appointments beginning Wednesday
morning, March 10. ... The Community Vaccination Center will be staffed in part by
BTC and Whatcom Community College nursing students.
Lynden Tribune, March 10, 2021
Big Bend offers virtual STEAM camp for kids
Big Bend Community College’s Center for Business and Industry Services is inviting kids, 7 to 14, to participate
in the Virtual Vikings STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) Camp.
The online camp offers weekly classes led by instructors with focus on topics like
coding, game design and eSports.
560 KPQ, March 9, 2021
Yakima Valley College helping students experiencing housing insecurity with new grant program
Yakima Valley College is helping students experiencing housing insecurity through their new grant program
with Washington State Board For Community and Technical Colleges. ... SSEH Pilot is building support systems for students facing homelessness on six
public campuses: Eastern Washington University, Edmonds College, South Puget Sound Community College, Walla Walla Community College, Western Washington University, and Yakima Valley College.
NBC Right Now, March 8, 2021
CBC wants community input to shape future
Columbia Basin College has launched the process that will create its new Strategic Plan, the document that
will set the College’s goals through the year 2024. Community members are encouraged
to take part in the process through small-group feedback sessions, which will be offered
remotely in the weeks ahead.
KEPR, March 7, 2021
NCWLIFE Evening News March 5th, 2021
... This month, the Arbor Day Foundation recognized Wenatchee Valley College as a Tree Campus Higher Education college for the second year in a row. Tree Campus
Higher Education, a national program launched in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation,
honors colleges and universities for promoting healthy trees, effective campus forest
management and engaging students and staff in conservation goals.
NCW Life, March 5, 2021
Trends | Horizons | Education
Commentary: How are women who work at community colleges faring during Covid?
Since Covid-19 abruptly changed how community college leaders live and work, the American
Association for Women in Community Colleges (AAWCC) conducted a study that focused
on the new and unique challenges of women working at community colleges during the
pandemic. ... The participants responded to a 17-question online survey with open
and closed-ended questions to capture quantitative and qualitative data.
Community College Daily, March 11, 2021
Report: Libraries contribute significantly to student success at community colleges
Libraries are pulling more weight than one would expect when it comes to student success
at community colleges, according to a recent report by Ithaka S+R. The report, titled
“Student Focused: Fostering Cross-Unit Collaboration to Meet the Changing Needs of
Community College Students,” involved interviews with 37 chief academic officers (CAOs),
chief student affairs officers (CSAOs), library directors, faculty and students from
U.S. community colleges.
Diverse Education, March 11, 2021
Expanding outreach for expanded SNAP
More college students are now eligible to get help through the federal Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Making students aware of this should be a priority
for states and colleges – and anyone in contact with students – according to panelists
during a webinar Wednesday. Federal lawmakers in December temporarily expanded SNAP
student eligibility rules during the Covid-19 health crisis.
Community College Daily, March 10, 2021
Keep students’ POV in mind when using student data
As colleges continue to use student data to better target student supports and make
decisions, they should keep in mind that students hold their own views about the use
of that data, according to a new study. Higher education institutions have over the
years increasingly used student data for myriad purposes, from developing programs
and services, to outreach and more.
Community College Daily, March 10, 2021
Commentary: Don’t forget about the lowly press release quite yet
Regardless of what marketers call it today – a press release, news release or media
release – this sometimes neglected marketing tool can offer a simple opportunity to
generate media interest in higher education. Because many colleges squeeze the most
they can from limited marketing staff and budgets, marketers can’t handle the process
like they did years ago and achieve the same success.
Community College Daily, March 9, 2021
Politics | Local, State, National
House joins Senate in approving $40B in aid for higher education
The House on Wednesday sent President Biden a massive $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief
package, which includes an additional $40 billion in aid for the nation’s colleges
and universities. Biden in a statement said he will sign the bill Friday. The money
for higher education, also passed by the Senate Saturday, would surpass the $14 billion
colleges and universities received in last March’s CARES Act and the $22.7 billion
they received in December’s $900 billion relief package.
Inside Higher Ed, March 11, 2021
Biden begins process to undo Trump Administration's Title IX rules
A move by the Biden administration to change the way cases of sexual assault and harassment
are handled by schools is drawing both cheers and fears. Acting on a campaign promise,
President Biden has ordered education officials to start considering how to rollback
Trump administration rules that bolster the rights of the accused and limit the cases
schools have to handle.
NPR, March 10, 2021
States seek Education Department's help in regulating loan servicers
Officials from 11 states on Tuesday asked Education Secretary Miguel Cardona to reverse
two Trump administration policies that they say keeps them from being able to regulate
private servicers of student loans. ... “For years there have been instances of servicers
providing inaccurate information or engaging in harmful misconduct, often resulting
in increased costs and extended repayment periods for borrowers,” the regulators wrote.
Inside Higher Ed, March 10, 2021
