News Links | November 18, 2021

System News | Opinion

SCC aviation school trains new age of aircraft technicians

As a generation of aviation maintenance professionals retires, demand for new employees with those skill sets has surged, says Andy Dodson, chair of Spokane Community College’s aviation department and full-time faculty member. For people interested in working on aircraft, SCC offers a Federal Aviation Administration-certified aircraft maintenance technician school, he says. ... Four other public colleges in Washington state offer airframe and powerplant AMT schools: Big Bend Community College, of Moses Lake; Clover Park Technical College, of Lakewood; Everett Community College, of Everett; and South Seattle College, of Seattle.
Spokane Business Journal, Nov. 18, 2021

All Head Start modulars have arrived; construction completion date remains unknown

... “We’re excited about the progress so far and eagerly anticipating completion,” said Mary Ellen Lykins, Skagit Valley College director of Early Learning Grant Programs. “The modulars have all been delivered and moved into place, and we’re nearing the completion of getting utilities and kitchen equipment installed and a finalized plan for internet installation."
San Juan Journal, Nov. 17, 2021

The Biden-Xi meeting left one big question unanswered, says analyst

... “It’s good that the two leaders met. From here, things can only get better,” Gary Locke, a former U.S. Secretary of Commerce and U.S. ambassador to China, told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Asia” Wednesday. “The two countries do need each other, and the world needs both countries to be cooperating and working together to solve so many issues,” said Locke, now interim president of Bellevue College. [Video]
CNBC, Nov. 17, 2021

CBC hosts clinics ahead of January vaccine requirement on campus

Columbia Basin College (CBC) celebrated its 500th COVID-19 vaccination today. The community college is hosting another vaccination clinic in December before requiring on-campus students to be vaccinated. The requirement is being implemented to bring CBC up to the same standards as community colleges across Washington state. Out of 34 community colleges statewide, CBC will be the 32nd to require vaccination status.
YakTriNews, Nov. 16, 2021

High winds, heavy rain damages waterfront along South Sound

... The Highline College Marine Science and Technology Center and Aquarium got pounded by waves Monday. “It was a little chaotic, I’m not going to lie,” said Heather Woodhams of the center. Highline College staff were back at the facility on the pier after surviving the pounding wave action. 
KOMO News, Nov. 16, 2021

Bellevue College launches new AI-focused bachelor's degree

Bellevue College is responding to industry need for more graduates trained in artificial intelligence (AI) by offering a new degree next fall — a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) with a concentration in AI. “Advisory committee members, including those that work at Microsoft, Amazon and Facebook, have recommended adding an AI concentration ..."
425 Business, Nov. 15, 2021

College program serves those who've served

... So he started thinking about other ways he could help people, particularly his “brothers and sisters” in the military. That eventually led him to Yakima Valley College — and to Chris Kinzell. Kinzell coordinates YVC’s Veterans Program, which administers the five “chapters” of the Veterans Administration Bill’s college benefits.
Yakima Herald, Nov. 11, 2021

Trends | Horizons | Education

Some hope in first-time enrollments?

First-time college student enrollments at community colleges have taken a huge hit during the pandemic — down more than -20% since fall 2019 — but new data show there is an uptick this fall among first-time nontraditional students. Enrollment of first-time college students this fall dropped -5.3%, compared to -16.4% last fall, according to a new report from the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) Research Center.
Community College Daily, Nov. 18, 2021

Campuses battle severe flue outbreaks

Thousands of students have already come down with influenza this fall as the virus tears through college and university campuses, even as health centers are working to keep COVID-19 cases at bay. After a nearly nonexistent flu season last winter, the familiar virus has returned, said William Schaffner, a professor of infectious disease at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Inside Higher Ed, Nov. 17, 2021

The state of virtual international exchange

A new survey on the state of virtual international exchanges found growth in virtual exchange programming spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, but it also identifies gaps in data about these programs and their quality and outcomes. “What the report shows very clearly is there is a wide variety of program types in the virtual exchange field,” said Henry Shepherd, assistant director of the Stevens Initiative, a U.S. government–funded initiative administered by the Aspen Institute, which awards grants to virtual exchange programs that connect young people across countries.
Inside Higher Ed, Nov. 17, 2021

Strengthening early childhood education programs

A new report from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) highlights the link between early childhood education (ECE) and higher education and the barriers and opportunities that exist to meeting the country’s demand for more skilled early childhood educators.
Community College Daily, Nov. 17, 2021

Politics | Local, State, National

Oversight of higher ed COVID-19 funds

The three rounds of COVID-19 relief funds for higher education passed by Congress in 2020 and early 2021 have had a “significant impact on students and institutions” and made a “tremendous difference,” Department of Education under secretary James Kvaal told lawmakers Wednesday.
Inside Higher Ed, Nov. 18, 2021

Details of HEERF spending

Two House Education and Labor subcommittees held a joint hearing Wednesday to learn how K-12 and postsecondary institutions are using specific federal funds to help address challenges brought on by the Covid pandemic. The Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education Subcommittee and the Higher Education and Workforce Investment Subcommittee heard from the U.S. Education Department’s (ED) Deputy Secretary Cindy Martin and Under Secretary James Kvaal.
Community College Daily, Nov. 17, 2021