The Washington ACT Transforming Lives Award(s) recognize current or former students whose lives have been transformed by attending a Washington state community or technical college (CTC). 

• The Board of Trustees from each of the thirty-four (34) community and technical colleges will select one (1) award recipient from its college.

• The recipient from each college will be awarded $200.00 (two-hundred dollars) from the ACT.

• The thirty-four (34) recipients from each college will be recognized virtually during the ACT’s winter 2021 conference and Transforming Lives Awards ceremony.

Download the criteria & nomination form below:

In honor of National Distance Learning Week November 9-13, we have put together some great information, resources and webinars. We will be sharing some data from students and what they say they need during this unprecedented pandemic, helpful Canvas tips, the USDLA’s schedule for workshops focusing on current distance learning techniques, and will have our very own workshop focusing on Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI).

This year’s theme is “From Surviving to Thriving: Rocking the New Normal.”

Shoreline eLearning Services would like to invite you to explore the activities and events for National Distance Learning Week.

In a long tradition of honoring National Distance Learning Week, this year the United States Distance Learning Association will once again host a series of free, virtual NDLW sessions throughout the week meant to:

• Generate greater awareness and appreciation for distance learning higher education
• Discuss current issues and emerging trends
• Highlight best practices
• Recognize leaders in the field

Nationally, this year’s USDLA webinars offer a wide range of topics for those interested in online learning trends and practices.  For your convenience, the complete list of free webinars is posted below.  Register for any of these sessions.

Monday, November 9, 2020

• 11:00 am – 11:45 am EST – Welcome to the 2020 USDLA series of Events and Keynote Address
• 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm – EST Meet with D2L
• 1:00pm – 1:45pm EST – Session 1: Focus on the Hybrid and Online High School Classroom: Turning Uncertainty into Opportunity
• 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm EST – Session 2: Focus on the Government (Panel Discussion)

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

• 11:00 am – 11:45 am EST – Session 3: Focus on Accessibility (Panel Discussion)
• 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EST – Meet with Logitech
• 1:00 pm – 1:45 pm EST – Speed Networking: Focus on Distance Learning Topics
• 2:00 pm – 2”45 pm EST – Session 4: Focus on Online Collaboratories: Approaches to Building Community Remotely

Wednesday, November 11, 2020

• 11:00 am – 11:45 am EST – Session 5: Focus on Open Education Resources and Digital Textbooks (Panel Discussion)
• 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EST – Meet with all the USDLA sponsors
• 1:00 pm – 1:45 pm EST – Awards
• 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm EST – Session 6: Focus on Visual Labs (Panel Discussion)

Thursday, November 12, 2020

• 11:00 am – 11:45 am EST – Session 7: Focus on K-12 Flex Classroom
• 12:00 pm – 12:45 m EST – Meet with NC SARA
• 1:00 pm – 1:45 pm EST – Speed Networking: Focus on Distance Learning Professionals
• 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm EST – Session 8: Focus on the State of Broadband (Panel Discussion)

Friday, November 13th, 2020

• 11:00 am – 11:45 am EST – Session 9: Focus on Proctoring (Panel Discussion)
• 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EST – Meet with Poly
• 1:00 pm – 1:45 pm EST – Session 10: Focus on Faculty
• 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm EST – Session 11: Focus on Leadership in Online Education (Panel Discussion)

Dear Colleague,

I appreciate how many of you were able to make our most recent Zoom Hall Budget meeting on Thursday, October 29. 

Here is the captioned video recording in case you missed it, as well as the written responses to unanswered questions that were submitted in the chat.

Our next Zoom Hall gathering will be on Tuesday, November 10. I hope you’ll join me then.

Respectfully,

Cheryl Roberts, Ed.D.
President
Office of the President

Dear Colleague,

Yesterday, we witnessed a historic outpouring of civic engagement as millions of people’s votes began to be counted in our local and national elections. While so many of us anxiously await the final results of the presidential election, it is important to remember that longer wait times for results indicate our democracy is working. We know that it is important to allow election officials to take the time they need to count every vote.  

In an already stressful time, not yet knowing the outcome of the election may bring additional anxiety into our lives. As we wait to learn more about the results, here are some post-election self-care tips to help you during this time: 

• Acknowledge your thoughts and feelings 
• Identify what is not in your ability to control 
• Attend to the things in your ability to control 
• Set boundaries around social media and news consumption 
• Minimize interactions that are stressful 
• Seek out and use supportive resources 
• Eat healthy foods 
• Be physically active 
• Get rest 

As always, employees seeking emotional or mental support may access resources through the state Employee Assistance Program (877-313-4455) and students may access services at the Counseling Center (206-546-4594). 

Whatever the final outcome of the presidential election is, we know some people may be left with feelings of anxiety, fatigue, grief, or even cynicism. Whatever you’re feeling, know that you are not alone. Give yourself and others an extra dose of compassion as we make our way forward together. 

Respectfully, 

Cheryl Roberts, Ed.D.
President
Office of the President