The Teacher Education Institute at Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC) knows how important early literacy is. That’s why it’s partnering with the PebbleCreek Rotary Foundation, Avondale Elementary School District and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to not only provide 15 families in Avondale with free books for their children but also free lessons for the parents […]
Completion Articles
Faculty story: An ‘aha moment’
Sisi Virasak’s first term of higher education made her think twice about whether she was ready. She’d taken physics, chemistry and computer classes all through school. But Oregon State University taught at a different level. “I didn’t realize that I didn’t know as much as I thought I did,” said Virasak, who received a degree […]
Reducing a financial burden for student parents
Bergen Community College will offer tuition-free enrollment at its on-campus early learning facility – the Child Development Center – for the children of 25 student-parents. This comes just weeks after the college announced plans to erase $5 million of debt for 2,000 of its students. “In today’s environment, colleges must focus on holistic approaches to […]
Moving beyond the conversation
In Ohio, Lake County leaders and Lakeland Community College are collaborating to address the equity concerns of minority and low-income populations. Their goal is to identify Black and Hispanic residents from underprivileged backgrounds who have a desire to go to college but lack financial or social support. Lakeland Community College will provide free education and […]
Student story: Persevering together
Scott and Ethan Baldwin, a father and son from Blue Springs, were delighted to be among the more than 600 Metropolitan Community College (Missouri) graduates who crossed the stage to receive diplomas May 13 at Starlight. But the moment was made much sweeter because son Ethan, who is blind, had overcome mountains of obstacles to […]
Early college program helps all parties
When New Heights Charter School of Brockton (Massachusetts) came to Massasoit Community College about setting up a partnership a few years ago, officials at the college were delighted. “We’d been investing in early college for over 14 years,” said Massasoit Provost Deanna Yameen. “At New Heights, every student would be college-ready – period.” In May, […]
Sharing courses to expand access
Five community colleges are working together to expand students’ access to virtual courses, reduce time to degree completion and increase graduation rates. Tarrant County College, Austin Community College, Lamar Institute of Technology, Montgomery County Community College and Yavapai Community College are part of the League for Innovation Online Course Sharing Consortium. The consortium is particularly […]
Student stories: Sisters, best friends, nurses
The four Rivera sisters have always been a close-knit group, even thinking of each other as best friends. Now, they have another common bond, all having graduated or soon to graduate from Howard Community College’s (HCC’s) nursing program. Rocio, Gloria, Andrea and Elizabeth Rivera were born to immigrant parents who moved to Howard County to […]
Colleges’ changing roles in rural communities
The Education Design Lab in late June released the first brief in a series on developing models that improve outcomes for rural learners and their communities. One goal is to make a case for more investment in rural community colleges. Five colleges are participating in the BRIDGES Rural Design Challenge — Eastern Maine Community College, […]
Expanding students’ options in health sciences
Tulsa Community College’s (TCC’s) Smart Start Orientation allows prospective students to expand their understanding of each of the 12 health sciences programs offered by the Oklahoma college. All 12 are workforce programs, with students prepared to go into the workforce upon completion of the degree or certificate. “We know the sooner a student gets on […]