News Links | August 25, 2022

A half-million WA residents could benefit from Biden’s student loan relief
Michael Marquez, 32, who graduated from Spokane Falls Community College and will attend Eastern Washington University this fall, saw Biden’s plan as a great first step toward student debt reform.
The Seattle Times, August 25, 2022

North Seattle College plans affordable housing project on campus
North Seattle College has put forward a plan to offer nearly 200 affordable housing units for community members on its campus. But first it must negotiate a highly specific leasing arrangement with developers and win the approval of its trustees and the state community and technical colleges board.
The Seattle Times, August 25, 2022

Biden’s student debt-relief plan could help thousands of Southwest Washington students
… Neighboring Clark College follows similar trends, with nearly 40 percent of students enrolled in programs of study eligible to receive federal student aid under the Pell program. As of the 2021-2022 school year, 2,114 students received Pell grants; five years earlier, that number was as high as 3,743 students.
The Columbian, August 24, 2022

‘A milestone moment’ or ‘a slap in the face’? Eastern Washington voices sound off on Biden’s student debt forgiveness
… Pennebaker, of Spokane, was able to obtain federal Pell Grants, awarded to students in financial need, so she could get her associate degree at [Spokane Community College] en route to a bachelor’s degree from Washington State University this December.
The Spokesman-Review, August 25, 2022

There’s a slice of wine country on the South Seattle College Campus – New Day NW
Northwest Wine Academy at South Seattle College: College course teaches wine-making. [Video].
King 5, August 24, 2022

Running Start program at Edmonds College receives nearly $1 million grant
The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges has approved Edmonds College’s Running Start Emergency Relief Funds Program and awarded the college a $989,511 grant to be used during the 2022-23 academic year. … The grant is designed to help increase enrollment in professional technical programs, credit recovery courses, and college success courses.
My Edmonds News, August 24, 2022

Edmonds College launches FastTrack, a collection of short-term, career-building programs
Edmonds College has launched FastTrack, a collection of short-term, affordable programs that can be completed in under six months, allowing students to quickly jump into the job market. Each FastTrack program is designed to provide training for new professionals or to gain a competitive advantage for in-demand jobs.
My Edmonds News, August 22, 2022

Walla Walla Community College gets federal COVID-19 relief dollars
Walla Walla Community College has received nearly $655,000 in federal dollars slated for higher education under the American Rescue Plan. The award provides support to low-income and high-need WWCC students and reinforces the college’s efforts to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, August 21, 2022
TRENDS | HORIZONS | EDUCATION
Final rule on DACA released
The Education Department on Wednesday released a final rule on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a program that provides protection against deportation to immigrants, often known as Dreamers, who were brought to the United States without documentation as children.
Inside Higher Ed, August 25, 2022

Scanning students’ rooms during remote tests is unconstitutional, judge rules
The remote-proctored exam that colleges began using widely during the pandemic saw a first big legal test of its own — one that concluded in a ruling applauded by digital privacy advocates.
NPR, August 25, 2022

Design for dual enrollment
The rise of dual-enrollment programs for high school students provides a creative opportunity for recruitment and retention at many community colleges. While many students may see these programs as a quick way to get ahead or gain some college experience, institutions can use their resources to …
Community College Daily, August 18, 2022

SBCTC News Links | August 23, 2022

Bellevue College joins Amazon Career Choice program
Bellevue College has been selected as an education partner for Amazon’s Career Choice program, providing Amazon’s hourly employees access to high-tech degrees, the college has announced.
425 Business, August 22, 2022

New Skagit Valley College president ready to get to work
Christopher Villa said he has a roadmap for his first year as Skagit Valley College president. He said outgoing President Tom Keegan laid the groundwork through the college’s strategic plan.
Skagit Valley Herald, August 20, 2022

Edmonds College launches dental assistant program
Edmonds College will launch a dental assistant program starting fall quarter of 2022 in which students can earn a certificate in nine months. The dental assistant program is the latest under the Allied Health Education umbrella at Edmonds …
Mill Creek Beacon, August, 19, 2022

Tacoma Community College brings ESL program to this side of the bridge
Tacoma Community College has long had an English as a Second Language program for adults seeking to improve their fluency in reading, writing and speaking English. But until this year, residents of Gig Harbor and the Key Peninsula had to cross the Tacoma Narrows Bridge to access classes.
Gig Harbor Now, August 17, 2022

Many school districts across the country are experiencing a staffing crisis, but NOT Yakima schools
… WVSD works directly with the Teacher Education Program at Yakima Valley College offering a Bachelor of Applied Science in Teacher Education and a residency program requiring hands-on working experience within classrooms under the guidance of a teacher.
NBC Right Now, August 16, 2022

South Puget Sound Community College welcomes new Executive Diversity Officer
South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) has selected Amanda Ybarra to serve as the College’s Executive Diversity Officer (EDO). The EDO is a member of SPSCC’s executive leadership team and is responsible for further supporting SPSCC’s core theme of “Equity” and the college’s commitment to reducing barriers and removing equity gaps.
Thurston Talk, August 15, 2022
TRENDS | HORIZONS | EDUCATION
$8M ED grant program to help strengthen, diversify teacher workforce
The U.S. Education Department (ED) has announced a new $8 million grant competition geared to help minority-serving institutions in their efforts to diversify the teacher workforce and prepare teachers to meet underserved students’ needs.
Community College Daily, August 21, 2022

The true cost faced by student parents
A new report shows that student parents from low-income backgrounds must work 50-plus hours a week at minimum wage in order to afford both tuition at a public college and childcare.
Inside Higher Ed, August 17, 2022

DataPoints: Developing diversity in nursing programs
The U.S. was already facing a growing shortage of nurses when Covid hit and accelerated the crisis. According to a recent Center for American Progress (CAP) report, the primary challenges that higher education institutions face in graduating more nurses are: a shortage of nurse educators, a lack of clinical placements for student nurses, and inadequate campus facilities and equipment.
Community College Daily, August 16, 2022
POLITICS | LOCAL, STATE, NATIONAL
Student loan relief to cost billions, favor top earners, analysis shows
Forgiving student loan debt will cost between $300 billion and $980 billion over 10 years, according to a new analysis, with the majority of relief going toward borrowers in the top 60% of earners.
The Seattle Times, August 23, 2022

Finding the sweet spot on student loan forgiveness
President Biden has yet to deliver on his campaign promise to forgive at least some student loan debt. Doing so would be a big win for key voting blocs heading into the midterms, but some are hoping for more forgiveness than others.
Inside Higher Ed, August 19, 2022