SBCTC NEWS LINKS | Articles about – and of interest to – Washington state community and technical colleges
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SYSTEM NEWS | OPINIONS
White House Florist Named Centralia College Distinguished Alumnus
The floral designs of Laura Dowling captured the eye of first lady Michelle Obama, who appointed the 1979 Centralia College graduate as chief floral ...
Centralia Chronicle, March 14, 2013
http://www.centralia.edu/news/chronicle.html
Women's hope for home
Northwest Asian Weekly, March 15, 2013
For International Women's Day, the Northwest Asian Weekly interviewed 15 students from North Seattle Community College ...
Two Centralia College Students Named to All-Washington Team
Centralia Chronicle, March 18, 2013
Second-year students Edward Riley, of Napavine, and Delanie Willows, of Olympia, were named to the 2013 Coca-Cola All-Washington College Academic Team.
Olympic College among recipients of $18 million for projects to reduce energy ...
Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal, March 18, 2013
Nearly $18 million in state grants will be distributed to 12 higher education institutions and 37 local governments to create jobs and lower energy costs. Olympic College will receive a grant of just over $1 million from the state's Energy ...
Roy Flores, former education administrator, passes away
Northwest Asian Weekly, March 18, 2013
Roy Flores, former Vice President of Student Development Services at North Seattle Community College, passed away the morning of Tuesday, March 12, ...
State tuition could go up 5 to 7 percent, if funding remains flat
The Seattle Times (blog), March 18, 2013
It's also unclear how the budget would affect community college tuition. Marty Brown, executive director of the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, said that if there's no new money from the state and no new tuition dollars, “it's a ...
Cybersecurity Education Opportunities
Emergency Management, March 18, 2013
... the cybersecurity need and educational opportunities with Jeanett Smith-Perrone and Debra Padden who are both with Tacoma Community College
HCC professor named Fulbright Scholar
Kent Reporter, March 19, 2013
Highline Community College faculty member Dr. Emmanuel Chiabi has been awarded a Fulbright grant to lecture and perform research in Cameroon, Africa for the ...
Four Pierce College students excel in studies and life to earn All-Washington Academic Team award
The award recognizes top scholars from community and technical colleges throughout the state with scholarships
Puyallup Patch, March 19, 2013
Clover Park Technical's Liliya Shkarina Named To All-Washington ...
Patch.com, March 20, 2013
She's thriving now as a Running Start student and accounting major working toward an associate's degree at Clover Park Technical College.
BBCC receives $535500 for energy efficiency, security projects
iFIBER One News, March 20, 2013
Big Bend Community College will use $535500 in state and local funds for on-campus energy efficiency projects. Along with the energy savings, ...
STEM training is a solid investment for state and residents
TheNewsTribune.com, March 21, 2013
According to a recent economic study by the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, Washington's two-year colleges and former students add $11 billion annually to the state's economy. Supporting STEM programs at Washington's ...
Anacortes is getting a new park patrol boat
KAPS, March 21, 2013
... state Department of Ecology and an Anacortes yacht builder will result in a new park patrol boat for the city, built by Skagit Valley College students.
Grays Harbor College Exploring Possible Bachelor's Degree Program
Newstalk 1450 KBKW, March 21, 2013
Grays Harbor College says they are exploring the possibility of offering a Bachelors of Applied Science degree.
Despite Cuts To Military Tuition Assistance Program, College Is ...
Patch.com, March 21, 2013
Pierce College officials are spreading the word to soldiers: Paying for college is ... The Veterans Resource Center on the Fort Steilacoom campus provides a
2 Highline College students named to state all-academic team
Highline Times, March 21, 2013
Highline Community College students Jemimah Kamau and Lloyd Thomas have been named members of the 2013 All-Washington Academic Team for their academic ...
Internationalizing the Professions
Inside Higher Ed, March 22, 2013
Faculty and administrators discussed strategies for internationalizing professional programs at a best practices conference sponsored by the Institute of International Education. Speakers at a Thursday afternoon panel represented programs in air traffic control, oral health and nursing, all of which had received IIE Andrew Heiskell Awards for Innovation in International Education. … Students at La Trobe University, in Australia, travel to Nepal to provide community education on oral health issues, while Shoreline Community College, in Washington State, offers a short-term study abroad program in partnership with the Smiles Forever Dental Hygiene Training Clinic in Bolivia.
Pacific County EDC working with Grays Harbor College on business curriculum
Coast River Business Journal, March 22, 2013
Pacific County Economic Development Council in cooperation with Grays Harbor College has begun a process of determining what business courses ...
Building named for BBCC supporter
MENAFN.COM, March 22, 2013
Longtime Big Bend Community College supporters Paul and Ginny Hirai will be honored during a ceremony at 3 p.m. on April 1 naming the college's fine arts building for Paul Hirai. College trustees approved naming the building for Paul Hirai in 2012, in recognition of more than 46 years of service to the college.
First-generation Latino students making college a family affair
The Spokesman Review, March 24, 2013
Maria Alvizar, 26, who was a Spanish major, now works in the College Assistance Migrant Program at Wenatchee Valley College. “We help students who come from migrant backgrounds. When they tell me their stories, I can really relate,” she said. She hopes to get a master’s degree in adult education or human resources.
Walla Walla Gets a New Educational Facility
KVEW, March 25, 2013
But that was just 90% of the bill. Walla Walla Community College stepped up and provided the last 10% by donating the land where the facility will stand. The building is expected to be complete around this time next year, with classes beginning in the ...
Groundbreaking Ceremony for New Walla Walla School
KNDO/KNDU, March 26, 2013
There were lots of smiling faces Monday as school district administrators and contractors broke ground for the school, which will be located on the Walla Walla Community College campus. Once open, students throughout the area will be able to sign up ...
Local women exemplify service, sacrifice
North County Outlook, March 26, 2013
Tran “Mimi” Truong, an Everett Community College student working toward an engineering degree, is the 2013 recipient of the Women's Opportunity Award.
Clark College takes the Next Step toward bringing classes to the Gorge
OregonLive.com (blog), March 26, 2013
As the economy of the Columbia River Gorge has developed, so has its needs for a more highly trained workforce. Recently members of two Gorge school districts reached out to Vancouver-based Clark College to help meet those needs. Representatives from Clark College recently attended two public meetings in the Columbia River Gorge to hear public input and gauge interest in offering college-level classes to the communities of Klickitat and Skamania counties.
Aspen Prize Honors 2 Community Colleges for Students' Successes
Chronicle of Higher Education, March 19, 2013
Two community colleges, one perched over a coastal city in California and the other nestled in rural Washington, are both winners of this year's Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, Aspen Institute officials announced in a ceremony here on Tuesday. … And Walla Walla Community College, with 8,600 students, was commended for tracking work-force trends and training students for emerging jobs in fields as diverse as wine making, wind energy, and watershed ecology. Each of the colleges will receive $400,000 from the institute, which started its competition to identify models to elevate community-college education nationwide.
http://chronicle.com/article/Aspen-Prize-Honors-2-Community/138001/#top
Celebrating Excellence in Community Colleges
The White House (blog), March 20, 2013
Earlier today at the Newseum in Washington, DC, leaders in education and business congratulated Santa Barbara City College from California and Walla Walla Community College from Washington for being selected as co-winners of the 2013 Aspen Prize ...
Walla Walla college wins national prize for excellence
The Seattle Times, March 20, 2013
Walla Walla Community College tied for first place for the national Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, winning a $400,000 award for being one of the nation's top two-year schools.
Editorial: Cheers for Walla Walla's community college award
The Seattle Times, March 22, 2013
A TOAST to Walla Walla Community College, co-winner of the 2013 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence and a national model for innovation. The small school in the heart of Southeast Washington wine country does what good community colleges should do and does it better than most. College graduation and transfer rates are above the national average. Minority and low-income students do as well as other students.
Clark College Board Approves Budget: No Cuts
750 KXL, March 27, 2013
The Clark College board of trustees voted in favor of a budget yesterday, and it included no cuts.
Green light for new Kentlake program
Maple Valley Reporter, March 27, 2013
The boards of the Kent School District and Renton Technical College unanimously approved the formation of the new Medical Career Pathways program at a special joint board meeting …
Seattle Central sees drop in enrollment as international, technology learning opportunities grow
CHS Capitol Hill Seattle, March 27, 2013
In the Seattle Community College District enrollment is dropping across the system’s three campuses, a trend hitting closest to home at Capitol Hill’s Seattle Central Community College …
Arlington schools, AJAC tout STEM initiatives
Arlington Times, March 27, 2013
Arlington School District Superintendent Dr. Kristine McDuffy described the district as “excited to be partnering” with not only AJAC, but also the Workforce Development Council and Economic Alliance of Snohomish County, Everett Community College, the city of Arlington and local businesses “to ensure our students are aware of the multitude of opportunities in high demand STEM fields, and that they’ll have access to high-quality relevant instruction, and clear career and college pathways. This unique and powerful partnership will help build bridges for our students and a strong, competitive workforce.”
Bellevue College Finalist for National Leadership Award for Green Efforts
Patch.com, March 27, 2013
Bellevue College is a finalist for the 2013 Second Nature Climate Leadership Awards, awards given by a nonprofit founded by Secretary of State John Kerry and his wife, Teresa Heinz. Second Nature was founded to promote environmental sustainability through higher education. Bellevue College is one of 20 colleges and universities nationwide to be a finalist for the awards.“ We’re extremely proud of this recognition for the steps our campus has taken to operate in more sustainable ways,” BC President David L. Rule said in a prepared statement. “
UW to offer first all-online degree-completion program
The Seattle Times, March 28, 2013
The University of Washington will start an all-online degree program in early-childhood education this fall. The University of Washington will start an all-online degree program in early-childhood education this fall. … Students who have attended community college, but did not earn an associate degree, may also be able to transfer into the program. Participating community colleges are Shoreline Community College and the Seattle Community Colleges — North, South and Seattle Central.
Shoreline aligns with new UW degree
Patch.com, March 28, 2013
The UW’s new degree program aligns perfectly with our expansion of online offerings,” Shoreline Community College president Lee Lambert said, adding that Shoreline’s mainstay, two-year Associate of Arts degree is already available online. “Students will now be able to start online at Shoreline and achieve a four-year, University of Washington degree, completely online.”
Washington State Community and Technical Colleges Standardize Admin Software
Campus Technology, March 28, 2013
Ciber has been chosen to implement and maintain Oracle Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) applications that will modernize computing and processes at all 34 campuses of the Washington State Board of Community & Technical Colleges (SBCTC) system … Called ctcLink, the system project replaces a 30-year-old legacy solution and unites all campuses under a common computing platform, which facilitates standardization. Automation will enable replacement of labor-intensive manual processes, providing for significant leaps in efficiency.
BBCC students make it onto All-Washington Academic Team
iFIBER One News, March 28, 2013
Two Big Bend Community College students have been selected to the All-Washington Academic Team, an honor that recognizes both Academic achievement and community involvement. BBCC students Cynthia Beatty of Moses Lake and Jordan Brzezny of Ephrata were recognized as all-state scholars during a reception in Olympia .. "It is always a pleasure to celebrate academic excellence," stated BBCC President Terry Leas. "It is exciting to showcase before lawmakers and media our brightest and best students-many of whom have overcome great obstacles."
TCC Product, 'The Voice' Finalist Vicci Martinez Establishes Arts ...
Patch.com, March 28, 2013
Vicci Martinez, singer/songwriter and former Tacoma Community College Running Start student and Stadium High School Graduate, lends her voice to cut a new TCC radio spot called, “Reach Higher.” … In addition to lending her time and talent, Martinez - who was a runner-up in the first season of NBC's "The Voice" - has set up the Vicci Martinez Arts Scholarship for Women at TCC. The scholarship is a testament to the teamwork of a thriving Tacoma arts community – the shared vision of local musician Vicci Martinez and a Tacoma Community College that encourages everyone to Reach Higher.
Engineering student and energy management student are Edmonds Community College’s top scholars
Edmonds Community College students Hunter Coulombe and Josh Estes will be recognized for their scholarship, leadership, and community service at [the All-Washington Academic Team] ceremony … at South Puget Sound Community College, Olympia. Governor Jay Inslee will be the keynote speaker at the event.
Mukilteo Beacon, March 15, 2013
Renton Wins $500K Grant for New LED Streetlights
Patch.com, March 14, 2013
Governor Jay Inslee announced on Wednesday that nearly $18 million in grants to create jobs and to lower energy costs for 12 higher education institutions and 37 local governments, including a $500,000 grant to the city of Renton. …
There have been two rounds of awards. The first recipients were announced in August 2012, including Community Colleges of Spokane and the City of Everett. CC Spokane was able to install a building-wide control system in two of their buildings, while the City of Everett used funding to replace old HVAC systems and controls and removed an un-insulated roof containing asbestos. The energy efficiency improvements for those two projects alone are expected to save approximately $41,000 annually. Projects for the second round of funding were selected from 60 grant applications requesting a total of more than $23 million. … Round two recipients of Energy Efficiency Grants/Higher Education Awards include: Big Bend Community College, $472,032; Community Colleges of Spokane, $80,000; Green River Community College, $453,000; Highline Community College, $196,877; Olympic College, $1,025,000; Pierce College, $825,000; Shoreline Community College, $349,643; Yakima Valley Community College, $503,000
Tacoma Vet Center goes mobile to provide care to Thurston County
TheNewsTribune.com, March 14, 2013
The Tacoma Vet Center is providing a more convenient option to veterans by bringing mobile counseling services and outreach programs to Thurston County. … In addition to the Lacey stop, the center also spends each Wednesday on one of four Tacoma-area college campuses, including Pierce College, Bates College, Tacoma Community College and Clover Park Technical College.
Edmonds Community College is test site for veterans recruiting mobile app
Edmonds Beacon, March 15, 2013
Edmonds Community College has signed an agreement with Edmonds-based Operation Military Family to be a test site for a new, free veterans information and resources website and mobile app called VAPP. “This is the beginning of a great new partnership,” said Edmonds CC President Jean Hernandez. “We look forward to helping Operation Military Family with this valued service that lets veterans make informed decisions about the many educational opportunities we offer, and which will encourage many more military students to consider Edmonds CC.”
Bellevue resident named surveyor of year
Bellevue Reporter, March 14, 2013
Bellevue resident and Renton Technical College instructor, Martin Paquette, was named “The 2012 Surveyor of the Year” by the Land Surveyors' Association of Washington. .... Renton Technical College’s Land Surveying program is one of only three in the state, and as surveyors retire, there is a growing need for professional surveyors.
New Community Colleges of Spokane program helping students pursue top education
Russell Vannoy had no grand plan for college. He figured he’d attend Spokane Falls Community College first, then transfer to an in-state college to finish his degree. American Honors, a new program at Community Colleges of Spokane, has the international relations major aiming higher. Vannoy has applied to three elite private schools – Cornell, Georgetown and Vanderbilt universities – as well as two state schools, the University of Washington and Eastern Washington University. The first-of-its-kind program offers the same academic rigor a student would find at a four-year university, but at a community college price. … “Already two have transferred to four-year universities – Emerson in Boston and BYU Hawaii,” said Anne Tucker, spokeswoman for Community Colleges of Spokane. “Another has received a full-ride scholarship to Whitworth” after having been turned down previously, she said. Applications are now being accepted for fall 2013; there’s room for 160 participants. “It was a good fit for our mission,” said Community Colleges of Spokane Chancellor Christine Johnson. “It was a matter of bringing additional rigor and opportunity to our college … being innovative, having more options for students and sustainability for the college.”
Spokesman Review, March 15, 2013
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/mar/15/new-ccs-program-helping-students-pursue-top/
TRENDS| HORIZONS | EDUCATION
State needs complete, cohesive approach to education
Operating in a vacuum of long-term education planning, several state lawmakers have been introducing piecemeal attempts at education reform this session – some of them cookie-cutter bills copied from national reform organizations. Such short-term thinking perpetuates our state’s fragmented approach to education. The state has separated K-12 from higher education, and both from early learning. … the Legislature created the Washington Student Achievement Council, and directed its nine-members to develop a 10-year roadmap for closing the state’s educational attainment level. They added early learning and K-12 into the WSAC’s scope in order to focus on students and to provide a holistic view of our education system.
The council’s statewide listening tour rolled through Olympia last week to gather public feedback on its five-point action plan, which it has prepared in advance of delivering a final report to the Legislature later this year.
The WSAC plan hits the well-known topics: preparing children for school and inspiring them to graduate; keeping higher education affordable; building institutional capacity; using technology to make college more convenient and finding a sustainable funding plan.
Voluminous amounts of data support these as important issues. One in four students will drop out of high school, and that number rises to 37 percent for students of color. Nearly a third of high school graduates do not enroll in higher education within five years.
We can trace those sad statistics back to the need for more pre-school education and that higher education demand has increased by 23 percent in the past decade – creating more competition for enrollment – even as tuition rates have skyrocketed 151 percent.
… Today’s high schools concentrate on preparing students for college. There is no statewide comprehensive program for preparing students for technical or vocational careers.
That’s partly because four separate entities share decision-making on technical education policy: WSAC, the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, the Workforce Development Board and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
The Olympian, March 15, 2013
http://www.theolympian.com/2013/03/15/2462620/state-needs-complete-cohesive.html
Competencies! / Confessions of a Community College Dean
I can tell I’m getting older by what gets me excited. There was a time when a story had to feature Winona Ryder and/or Paul Westerberg to get my attention. Now I read about the Department of Education issuing a guidance letter on competency-based education and financial aid eligibility and get all worked up.
Inside Higher Ed, March 19, 2013
Higher education is more than a 'return on investment'
By Gene D. Block, chancellor of the University of California at Los Angeles. | … Unfortunately, framing higher education as a “return on investment” is wrongheaded — a result of states’ growing disinvestment in higher education. Diminishing support shows a lack of recognition for the ways higher education benefits society, sending a message that college is something people do just for themselves, not also for their communities. … I also fear that the emphasis on measurable data, such as earnings, will overshadow un-measurable data, such as what it means for a medical school graduate to practice in a poor, underserved area. Or what it means to become a teacher at a low-performing high school and inspire others to apply to college. The world works best when people remember that we’re all in this together. While it is hard to correlate the benefits of a college education to societal well-being, never in my 35 years in higher education have I seen a more pronounced and sustained effort by young people to choose careers that serve society.
… Asking students to choose a future based on a salary scale does not serve society and, often, does not serve the individual. Students need freedom and encouragement to find their passions and strengths. Framing decisions about college as a cost-benefit analysis will not encourage the creativity and risk-taking that has made this nation great.
The Washington Post, March 15, 2013
POLITICS | LOCAL, STATE, NATIONAL
$10M sought for EvCC University Center expansion
HeraldNet, March 24, 2013
A consortium of universities led by WSU thinks it will nearly triple its enrollment at Everett Community College this decade and need a new home for its students by the next. WSU and its partners at the University Center predict the number of full-time students they serve will rise from 465 this school year to 1,179 by the spring of 2021.
Washington State Dream Act: one student’s perspective
The News Tribune Political Buzz, March 28, 2013
College aid for service members one step closer to reinstatement
Yakima Herald-Republic, March 22, 2013
A National Guardsman and White Swan resident, Kuhnhenn is among roughly two dozen service members at Yakima Valley Community College and Central Washington ...
Compiled by the Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges
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