SBCTC NEWS LINKS | Articles about – and of interest to – Washington state community and technical colleges
SYSTEM NEWS | OPINIONS
Bellevue College gets grant to help low-income students
Bellevue College has received a $150,000 grant from College Spark Washington to support college readiness and retention for low-income students. Research shows that one out of five low-income students is prepared for college level work compared with over half of middle and upper-income students. And even when a low-income student gets into college, he or she is seven times less likely to earn a bachelor’s degree than a more affluent peer.
Bellevue Reporter, May 14, 2013
http://www.bellevuereporter.com/news/207381821.html
WWU, Bellingham Technical College create transfer agreement for fisheries program
Students in Bellingham Technical College's fisheries and aquaculture sciences program will have a more seamless transition to Western Washington University, as the schools have announced a transfer agreement. BTC students can earn an associate in applied science transfer degree in fisheries and aquatic science and transfer to WWU's Huxley College of the Environment to pursue a bachelor's degree in environmental studies or geography.
The News Tribune, May 12, 2013
Curriculum helps Big Bend Community College students conquer math
A new math instruction program, developed in-house, is helping students get up to speed for college-level math at Big Bend Community College. The Emporium course was developed as the answer to a problem, that 95 percent of the students taking the college's entrance exam don't qualify for college-level math, said Doug Sly, the college's public relations officer.
Columbia Basin Herald, May 17, 2013
Genie Industries rebounds from economic downturn
Although unfavorable market conditions a few years back forced layoffs at Genie Industries, a steady increase in demand for Genie products brought those jobs back. Glenn Gere, director of operations for Genie's Moses Lake facility, said the plant has seen significant growth over the last few years. Gere spoke at a Grant County Economic Development Council luncheon at Big Bend Community College.
Columbia Basin Herald, May 19, 2013
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/business/article_6e1aaaac-bf40-11e2-b2fe-001a4bcf887a.html
Edmonds Community College director gets Fulbright Award to visit Japan
An Edmonds Community College director has secured a prestigious Fulbright Award, allowing her to travel to Japan and learn more about the country’s culture and education system. As part of the Fulbright International Education Administrators Program, sponsored by the Japan-U.S. Educational Commission (JUSEC) and both the U.S. and Japanese governments, Amanda Fletcher will spend an intensive two weeks on the island nation.
Edmonds Beacon, May 20, 2013
New aviation certificate program could train hundreds at Ivy Tech
Last year, the U.S. Department of Labor gave Ivy Tech Community College Northeast $1.5 million to train hundreds of students for aviation-maintenance jobs. Ivy Tech Northeast Chancellor Jerrilee Mosier had a hand in beginning the development of these aviation-maintenance certificates at her previous job in workforce development at Edmonds Community College in Lynnwood, Wash.
News-Sentinel, May 23, 2013
http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130523/NEWS/130529823/-1/LIVING
Unity in diversity: 23rd Students of Color Conference
Hustle and bustle was spotted everywhere and the electrifying atmosphere climbed on its peak when a group of 38 students, along with seven advisors, in response to their roll-call, chanted ‘EV---CC, EV---CC: Who is here? Everett!’ in a convention hall swamped with more than 800 students from around the Washington State. The moment in discussion was the 23rd Annual Students of Color Conference (SOCC) in Yakima held from April 11-13, 2013 where ambitious and bright young student leaders had gathered to share diversity and knowledge. The theme of the year 2013 was Awakening Your Inner Scholar.
The Clipper, May 20, 2013
http://www.clipperonline.info/node/2609
Lower Columbia College student wins $30,000 annual national scholarship
At age 25, Sean Gestson entered Lower Columbia College. The Longview resident, now 28, will graduate in June with an associate’s degree in engineering. This August he’ll transfer to the University of Portland — which he’ll pay for with a prestigious scholarship.
The Daily News, May 13, 2013
Careers carved at wood-tech center
Students who find their way to the Wood Technology Center at Seattle Central Community College often travel a wandering path before arriving at its doors.
The Seattle Times, May 23, 2013
http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2021037598_woodtechxml.html
Sip, spit: underage wine students can now taste subject (South Seattle CC, Walla Walla CC, Yakima Valley)
A new law will allow 18- to 20-year-olds to taste wine if they’re enrolled in a community college wine program — just as long as they sip, then spit.
The Seattle Times, May 19, 2013
http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2021014009_sipspitxml.html?prmid=4939
Pima Community College names Lambert new chancellor
Veteran community college leader Lee D. Lambert today was named chancellor of Pima Community College. At a Special Meeting this morning, the PCC Governing Board voted unanimously for the College to enter into a three-year contract with Mr. Lambert, who since 2006 has been president of Shoreline Community College in Shoreline, Wash.
Explorer News, May 17, 2013
http://explorernews.com/news/article_30df0b5e-bf42-11e2-99a3-001a4bcf887a.html
More students deserve to graduate
The significance of thousands of students receiving their diplomas cannot be overstated. Yet the fact remains that many more students in this country need that same opportunity. Walla Walla Community College in Washington has created a "Degree Estimator" to clarify degree requirements.
USA Today, May 20, 2013
http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2013/05/21/graduation-ohio-education-column/2339391/
Walla Walla Community College instructor leaves his mark on wine industry
A handful of winemakers put Walla Walla on the wine tour map. Among them is Myles Anderson, who has retired as the director of Walla Walla Community College’s Center for Enology & Viticulture. Anderson is known for the wine he makes with his longtime partner Gordy Venneri at Walla Walla Vitners (which, by the way, is outstanding).
Union-Bulletin, May 21, 2013
http://union-bulletin.com/news/2013/may/21/wwcc-instructor-leaves-his-mark-wine-industry/
TRENDS| HORIZONS | EDUCATION
Though enrolling more poor students, 2-year colleges get less of federal pie
Community colleges have received a declining share of government spending on higher education over the last decade even as their student bodies have become poorer and more heavily African-American and Latino, according to a report to be released Thursday.
The New York Times, May 23, 2013
Equity gap widens
Economic and racial stratification is increasing in American higher education, with growing concentrations of needy students at community colleges. Meanwhile, government funding skews toward universities with more advantaged students, due in part to research support and tax breaks. Those are the findings of a new report from a panel convened by the Century Foundation. The paper, dubbed “Bridging the Higher Education Divide,” includes policy recommendations to address growing inequity in the academy.
Inside Higher Ed, May 23, 2013
2-year colleges are at risk of ‘separate and unequal’ future, report says
Community colleges "are in great danger of becoming indelibly separate and unequal institutions in the higher-education landscape," a Century Foundation task force warns in a report being released here on Thursday. To deal with what it calls "the increasing economic and racial isolation of students" at community colleges, the group also calls for major changes in how two-year colleges are financed and operated.
The Chronicle of Higher Education, May 22, 2013
What colleges can learn from K-12 education
Why are completion rates so low in higher education, especially community colleges? One reason, according to a blue-ribbon panel assembled by the Century Foundation, is that higher education has not directly confronted the growing economic and racial separation of students within its ranks. Largely separate sets of institutions for white and minority students—and for rich and poor—are rarely equal, either in K-12 schooling or in higher education.
The Chronicle of Higher Education, May 22, 2013
UW expands online courses, this time from Harvard, MIT
Adding to its growing catalog of free online-course offerings, the University of Washington announced Tuesday it is joining another free course provider — this one run by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
The Seattle Times, May 21, 2013
http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2021024256_uwedxxml.html
New college grads: better job prospects but higher debt
Average student debt for the class of 2013 with bachelor degrees has reached new heights at $30,000. The news comes as a double-edged sword for this latest cohort of newly educated workers: employment prospects have improved since they entered college in 2009 yet they have more debt to pay off.
National Education Writers Association, May 20, 2013
http://www.edmediacommons.org/forum/topics/new-college-grads-better-job-prospects-but-higher-debt
Enrollments down but degrees up, new U.S. data show
The number of students enrolled in American colleges and universities was 1.6 percent lower in 2011-12 than it was the year before, but the number of degrees conferred by those institutions was up 5.1 percent, new data from the Education Department's National Center for Education Statistics shows.
Inside Higher Ed, May 22, 2013
http://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2013/05/22/enrollments-down-degrees-new-us-data-show#ixzz2U3Gb2nWE
Education Department releases new data on college tuition across sectors
The National Center for Education Statistics, the Education Department’s statistical arm, on Tuesday released a “first look” report at new data on college pricing across sectors, finding that tuition and required fees for in-state students at four-year, public institutions rose by 6.7 percent from 2010-11 to 2012-13.
The Chronicle of Higher Education, May 21, 2013
Concerns on loan denials
Since the Education Department changed its underwriting standards for loans to students’ parents in 2011, 400,000 parents have been denied the loans. The denials have fallen disproportionately on historically black colleges and universities, whose leaders pleaded with the Obama administration Tuesday to reconsider the policy.
Inside Higher Ed, May 22, 2013
POLITICS | LOCAL, STATE, NATIONAL
NATIONAL
‘Dreamers’ could receive federal student loans under immigration bill
An amendment passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday added language to a pending immigration bill that would extend federal student loans, work-study funds, and other federal support to students who are in the United States illegally.
The Chronicle of Higher Education, May 21, 2013
http://chronicle.com/article/Dreamers-Could-Receive/139425/
STATE
Higher ed remains the key (Everett CC)
As legislators gird for a revenue battle in response to the Supreme Court's McCleary decision, Washington needs a comprehensive approach to the state Constitution's Article 9, Sections 1 and 2, on "paramount duty," an interpretation that tracks with the 21st Century. Ample provision for educating all state children, ensuring that every high school grad is college-ready, also demands ample provision for higher ed.
Everett Herald, May 19, 2013
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20130519/OPINION01/705199929
McAuliffe bill to increase number of STEM degrees becomes law
A bill sponsored by Democratic state Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe that became law as the regular session of the Legislature ended is designed to increase the number of degrees in science, technology, engineering and math fields.
Everett Herald, May 15, 2013
http://heraldnet.com/article/20130515/BLOG5207/705159920/-1/NEWS01
Compiled by the Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges
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Alison Grazzini Smith | Legislative Director
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