The U.S. Education Department (ED) is accepting applications for a new round of funding through its Postsecondary Student Success Grant (PSSG) program, which aims to improve retention and college completion through evidence-based practices. Higher education institutions, including community colleges, have until September 25 to apply for four-year grants that will range from $2 million to […]
Advocacy and Funding Articles
A reaffirmed commitment to access, student success
As expected, there was a tidal wave of responses from all sides of the issue when the Supreme Court on Thursday released its ruling that rejects affirmation action in college admissions. And while advocates are still reviewing the decision and its implications, it will undoubtedly alter the recruitment and enrollment practices of many selective colleges […]
Alabama’s HBCCs join Thurgood Marshall College Fund
Alabama’s six historically Black community colleges (HBCC) have joined the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), which will provide access for the colleges’ students to more scholarships and professional development opportunities through a national partnership. “Adding community colleges to our membership is part of an intentional move toward a more inclusive talent strategy. A four-year degree […]
Report roundup
Here are three reports to know about this month: 1. Undergraduate enrollments seem to have stabilized this fall — including at community colleges — and there’s been an uptick among freshmen, with public two-year colleges seeing the biggest bump, according to final fall enrollment data from the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) Research Center. In fall […]
Washington Watch: FY23 community college earmarks
Community colleges across the country will receive millions of dollars in additional designated funding from the federal government as a part of Congress’ fiscal year (FY) 2023 omnibus appropriations package passed late last month and just signed into law by President Joe Biden. Nearly $183 million of community project funding — formerly known as earmarks […]
Growing alumni engagement
Alumni can help colleges’ fundraising and recruitment efforts. They also can serve as mentors to current students. And the good news is that alumni are “increasingly interested in connecting with their alma maters,” according to results of a survey by Anthology. The survey includes responses from 2,365 college and university alumni. Nearly 400 (17%) of […]
$1B Build Back Better Regional Challenge projects include community college partners
The Biden administration on Friday announced the 21 selected regional economic development projects that will receive funding through the $1 billion Build Back Better Regional Challenge. Most of the projects include state community college systems or individual two-year colleges among their partners. Funded by the American Rescue Plan and administered by the U.S. Commerce Department’s […]
A deeper look at public opinion of higher ed
Public Agenda and USA Today recently released extensive public opinion research results that reflect some competitive edges for community colleges, amidst broader and substantial concerns about the value and affordability of college. The data may offer useful insights for community college leaders. The research explores a number of topics and reveals complex views about higher […]
‘Empowering voices the world needs to hear’
In her blog post on June 15, 2021, in which she announced awards going to 286 community-serving organizations, philanthropist MacKenzie Scott wrote, “The headline I would wish for this post is “286 Teams Empowering Voices the World Needs to Hear.” Scott has awarded two rounds of billions of unrestricted grants to selected nonprofits, including community […]
Answering the call for OER
When the state began to push back against college textbook prices, Ohio colleges and universities got innovative. In 2017, “We were seeing in Ohio an atmosphere where the public was attacking higher ed textbook costs,” said Jack Hershey, president and CEO of the Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC) during a session at the AACC […]