Community College Week articles from March 2006

Community College Week archives from March 2006

Colorado higher ed commissioner to run for Congress.(around the nation)
March 13, 2006... Just two years after becoming the executive director of the Colorado Commission on Higher Education, Rick O'Donnell is stepping down to run for the U.S. Congress, leaving in his wake what he hopes is a better appreciation at the state level for...

Minority educators vow to scale up transfer network for all.(around the nation)
March 13, 2006... The Alliance for Equity in Higher Education has assumed leadership of the National Articulation and Transfer Network, with the goal of making college transfers effectively seamless for minority and majority students nationwide. "NATN has...

High school, business leaders talk jobs.
March 13, 2006... WORLAND, Wyo. (AP) -- Just how do you prepare a young student for the local work force? This is a question Worland High School vocational teachers, local business leaders, parents and even students intend to answer through a program that brings...

Embracing advanced technology to compete in a "flat world".(point of view)
March 13, 2006... The world's playing field has become flat, and America's position as the economic powerhouse of the world is being challenged on all sides, says Pulitzer Prize-winning author Thomas Friedman. As global technological and political realities were...

A bold new direction for Nevada higher education.(point of view)
March 13, 2006... In the current bestseller, Good to Great, Jim Collins tells readers that good organizations are made great by prudent risk-takers who "dare to be great." In the same way that world-class business organizations succeed in an increasingly...

Smaller, faster, better: technology in community colleges is creating economies of scale.(SPECIAL REPORT: TECHNOLOGY AT COMMUNITY COLLEGES)(Cover story)
March 13, 2006... Whether the cost is a $300 iPod or a $900,000 grant, new technology is an integral part of education. Always at the forefront of innovative ways to reach students, community colleges are using--and teaching--technology. From lectures via...

Learning the ways of the new president-entrepreneur.
March 13, 2006... FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- At a recent leadership conference for community college presidents, the presidents resembled students as they gathered in groups and cranked out PowerPoint presentations for each other. The lesson was how to become...

Maricopa class action status granted to Hispanic MCCCD employees.
March 13, 2006... PHOENIX -- A federal judge has approved class action status for more than 700 Hispanic employees of the Maricopa County Community College District in a suit focused on the use of the district's listserv system to distribute allegedly racist and...

Reuniting university with community college?
March 13, 2006... CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- The West Virginia Senate Education Committee on Monday endorsed a bill that would reunite Fairmont State University with its community college, despite concerns that such a move could disrupt the entire community...

Administration knocks community college job training program for welfare recipients.(dateline washington)
March 13, 2006... An education program for welfare recipients at a community college is becoming the latest flashpoint in a debate between the Bush administration and educators over the best way to help individuals successfully leave the public assistance rolls....

One lone alone program may save money.(CAPITOL briefs)
March 13, 2006... The federal government could potentially save billions of dollars by restricting consolidation loans to the Federal Direct Loan Program. But it's impossible to say for sure because no one can predict how much loan money students will take out...

Bill tackles campus violence.(CAPITOL briefs)
March 13, 2006... A new source of federal aid to help students afflicted by violence was approved by Congress. An authorization bill for the Justice Department creates a Grants to Combat Violent Crimes on Campuses program for institutions of higher education and...

Committee urges study abroad.(CAPITOL briefs)
March 13, 2006... According to the Commission on the Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Fellowship Program, 1 million American students are likely to be studying overseas by the 2016-2017 academic year. Of that number, the commission says a healthy portion will likely...

2006 state aid for community colleges: "neither feast nor famine".
March 13, 2006... Following several years of stagnant or declining state aid, community colleges and other state colleges and universities can expect on average an increase of approximately 6 percent in state funds for fiscal year 2006, according to data...

Proposed Michigan aid formula for community colleges is partially performance-based.(the money tree)
March 13, 2006... LANSING, Mich. -- Lawmakers will weigh a new task force proposal that could partially revamp the state aid funding formula and reward community colleges based on their performance. The panel of four legislators and four community college...

Two-year students often financially independent.(CAPITOL briefs)
March 13, 2006... Two-thirds of community college students supported themselves during the 1999-2000 school year. And, students without family financial support not surprisingly tended to favor the cheapest form of education, public two-year schools. Fifty-six...

Competitiveness hearing draws college input on transitions.
March 13, 2006... WASHINGTON -- Work-based learning and effective transition from high school to college are the key ingredients that make school-business partnerships work for students, a community college leader told Congress in late February. "The first...

High schoolers enjoy smaller classes at DCC.
March 13, 2006... DURHAM, N.C. (AP) -- Sixteen-year-old Liliana Marquez admits that starting at noon instead of the more traditional 8 a.m. was one of the initial perks of Middle College High School at Durham Technical Community College. But when the...

California college drops disputed fee.
March 13, 2006... EL CAJON, Calif. (AP) -- Grossmont College has stopped charging students $1 per unit to help pay for a proposed $20 million expansion of the college student center. The board that oversees the community college decided to drop the fee,...

Committee transfers general ed. programs.
March 13, 2006... CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) -- The Wyoming Senate Education Committee unanimously passed a bill Friday morning that would transfer adult education and general education programs from the Department of Workforce Services to the Wyoming Community College...

Counties face CC proposals dilemma.
March 13, 2006... BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- Now that Gov. Dirk Kempthorne wants to use state funds to create new community colleges, residents in counties that support Idaho's only two community colleges with property taxes are frustrated the other counties may be...

Tuition increase forecast in Idaho.
March 13, 2006... COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho (AP) -- North Idaho College might raise tuition by as much as 10 percent next year to make up for revenue shortfalls from declining enrollment. College officials said Wednesday that there probably won't be a decision...

Candidates highlight N.H. salary limit.
March 13, 2006... CLAREMONT, N.H. (AP) -- Both finalists to be president of the New Hampshire Community Technical College at Claremont turned down the job, and officials say salary was an important reason. Sara Sawyer, human resources director for the...

College campuses find homes in unusual places.
March 13, 2006... DAYTON, Ohio (AP) -- Community colleges are branching out to old factories, libraries and YMCAs to avoid expensive new construction, attract new students and serve those in out-of-the-way places. "You're seeing a lot more outreach to reach...

Collin County Community College District in Plano, Texas, has received a donation of $400,000 from Richard R. and Barbara Dickinson to set up an endowed faculty chair in the department of nursing.(Grants & Gifts)
March 13, 2006... Collin County Community College District in Piano, Texas, has received a donation of $400,000 from Richard R. and Barbara Dickinson to set up an endowed faculty chair in the department of nursing. The gift will assist the college in attracting...

The HACC Foundation at Harrisburg Area Community College in Harrisburg, Pa.(Grants & Gifts)
March 13, 2006... The HACC Foundation at Harrisburg Area Community College in Harrisburg, Pa., has been awarded $50,000 from the Lancaster Regional Medical Center Nursing Program to support the Lancaster Campus Educational Investment Campaign at HACC's Lancaster...

The College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Ill., is the recipient of a $50,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to support its newly formed Academy for Nonprofit Excellence.(Grants & Gifts)
March 13, 2006... The College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Ill., is the recipient of a $50,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to support its newly formed Academy for Nonprofit Excellence. The Academy is housed within the Center for Entrepreneurship and...

Corning Community College in Corning, N.Y. won $25,000 from Corning Credit Union to start a Corning Credit Union Scholarship Fund.(Grants & Gifts)
March 13, 2006... Corning Community College in Corning, N.Y. won $25,000 from Corning Credit Union to start a Corning Credit Union Scholarship Fund. The endowment will provide a $1,000 scholarship every year to a full-time student who graduated from a local high...

Tech schools feel the pinch of HOPE caps.(around campus)
March 13, 2006... LaGrange, Ga. (AP) -- Reggie Hudson can be a harsh critic while making the rounds through his metal shop, scrutinizing the tiniest flaws in his welding students' work. But his hard edge melts when he is in his classroom, where he sounds more...

Dr. Cynthia Vensel Reynolds, chair of the social and behavioral sciences department at Manatee Community College in Bradenton, Fla., and Gary Russell, chair of the language and literature department at MCC, received 2006 International Exemplary Leadership awards from the Chair Academy.(Honors & AWARDS)
March 13, 2006... Dr. Cynthia Vensel Reynolds, chair of the social and behavioral sciences department at Manatee Community College in Bradenton, Fla., and Gary Russell, chair of the language and literature department at MCC, received 2006 International Exemplary...

Frank Longbottom, automotive technology instructor at Camden County College in Blackwood, N.J., earned General Motor's World-Class Technician award after mastering all levels of training on GM parts and products.(Honors & AWARDS)
March 13, 2006... Frank Longbottom, automotive technology instructor at Camden County College in Blackwood, N.J., earned General Motor's World-Class Technician award after mastering all levels of training on GM parts and products. He is one of only 22...

Johnson County Community College.(Honors & AWARDS)
March 13, 2006... Charles R. Rogers, artistic director of the Carlsen Center at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kan., was recently named to the Exemplary Presenters' Coalition by the Paul Taylor Dance Foundation. The award recognizes...

Dr. Carol Berger, professor of philosophy at the Florissant Valley campus of St. Louis Community College; Stephen W. Smith, assistant professor in funeral service education at SLCC's Forest Park campus; and Dr. Vicki Ritts, professor of psychology at SLCC's Meramec campus received 2006 Missouri Governor's Awards for Excellence in Teaching.(Honors & Awards)
March 13, 2006... Dr. Carol Berger, professor of philosophy at the Florissant Valley campus of St. Louis Community College; Stephen W. Smith, assistant professor in funeral service education at SLCC's Forest Park campus; and Dr. Vicki Ritts, professor of...

Speaker asks panel to reconsider immigrant tuition measure.(faculty lounge)
March 13, 2006... TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -- Members of a Kansas legislative committee will have an unusual opportunity Wednesday to recast their votes on a bill that would kill a law giving some undocumented immigrants a break on tuition at state universities and...

Laramie County Community College.(PRESIDENT)
March 13, 2006... Dr. Darrel L. Hammon has been appointed president of Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne, Wyo. He was most recently president of Miles Community College in Miles City, Mont. Hammon holds a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from...

Coastline Community College.(APPOINTMENTS)
March 13, 2006... Dr. Cheryl Babler has been named vice president of instruction at Coastline Community College in Fountain Valley, Calif. She was most recently dean of career and technical education/ economic development at Butte College in Oroville, Calif....

Volunteer State Community College.(APPOINTMENTS)
March 13, 2006... Phyllis Foley has been appointed dean of social science and education at Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin, Tenn. She was most recently an associate professor of psychology at VSCC. Foley earned a bachelor's degree and two master's...

Coastline Community College.(APPOINTMENTS)
March 13, 2006... Vangie Meneses has been appointed vice president of student services at Coastline Community College in Fountain Valley, Calif. She had previously been the acting vice president of student development and services at Cuyamaca College in El...

Clark College.(APPOINTMENTS)
March 13, 2006... LeAnn Johnson has been named director for equity and diversity at Clark College in Vancouver, Wash. Johnson had previously been manager of cultural services for the city of Vancouver. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of...

Coming events.(Calendar)
March 13, 2006... March 19-22, 2006 League for Innovation in the Community College "Innovations 2006" Atlanta, Ga. www.league.org March 27-29, 2006 TechEd 2006 International Conference & Exposition "Sharing the Vision" Pasadena, Calif. www.techedevents.org...

Mentors boost Hispanic student successes at Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute.(around the nation)
March 27, 2006... ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Every semester at the Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute, dozens of students meet individually and on a regular basis with dozens more in an energetic effort to increase the number of Hispanic students who will...

Virginia Community College System forms venture with Indian University.(around the nation)
March 27, 2006... ANNANDALE, Va. -- The Virginia Community College System signed an exchange agreement with Jadavpur University of Calcutta, India, in February. The schools will exchange three faculty members for two weeks per year on an open-ended basis. ...

Lumina Foundation pledges $25 million to college affordability projects.(around the nation)
March 27, 2006... INDIANAPOLIS -- The Lumina Foundation for Higher Education committed $25 million for a new five-year "College Cost Initiative." The money will fund pilot projects and investigations to confront what the foundation considers the greatest problem...

Something's wrong with this picture.(point of view)
March 27, 2006... Every fall and spring, college football fans in Colorado and across the country pack stadiums and courts to cheer on the Buffs or the Rams. Many others relish the rivalry against the Huskers. In the winter, hockey fans side with the Pioneers or...

Helping the press help community colleges.(point of view)
March 27, 2006... The Education Writers Association recently hosted a two-day meeting for 30 working journalists. The stated purpose was to give daily reporters an opportunity to learn from experts about community colleges. The real goal, though, was to pursuade...

Keeping community colleges covered; community colleges can achieve greater visibility if they start with understanding the needs of their target audience.(Cover story)
March 27, 2006... Between 1995 and 2005, the number of articles per year about community colleges in Gale's general index of national magazines grew sevenfold, from 95 to 673. The increase reflects two-year colleges' more purposeful approach to public relations...

Education Department's Office of Inspector General finds many overlapping agency programs.(dateline washington)
March 27, 2006... A new report may support administration efforts to terminate several funding programs. The Office of Inspector General of the Department of Education reported that the department operates at least 68 discretionary and formula grants "with...

California community colleges establish pension trust.(the money tree)
March 27, 2006... SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The Community College League of California has proceeded with plans to comply with new accounting standards for employee retirement benefits. (See Community College Week, July 18, 2005, p. 8.) Beginning July 1, community...

Report: budget optimism doesn't translate into more state funding for higher education.(the money tree)
March 27, 2006... SAN JOSE, Calif. -- A continued economic improvement and rising state revenues aren't likely to translate into increased funding for higher education, a new report warns. While prospects for improved public coffers appear positive, states...

High-tech equipment breathes new life into BCC's pharmaceutical program.(technology today)
March 27, 2006... NEW YORK -- Ever heard of a fluorescence spectrophotometer? How about a high-pressure liquid chromatograph? These are two examples of the new equipment that Bronx Community College of the City University of New York just bought for its...

De los Santos takes on mantle as president of the League for Innovation in the Community College.(technology today)
March 27, 2006... PHOENIX -- Dr. Gerardo E. de los Santos was named president and CEO of the League for Innovation in the Community College. He had been serving in these positions in an interim capacity since October 2004. De los Santos has worked at the...

WCC to give courses for the oil industry-bound.(technology today)
March 27, 2006... GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) -- Western Community College plans to begin offering courses next year to meet the exploding demand for oil and gas industry jobs. College President Kerry Youngblood said the program will try to keep pace with...

NCES releases enrollment study.(CAPITOL briefs)
March 27, 2006... Almost four out of 10 Title IV students attended two-year schools, according to the latest annual federal report on enrollment. Of 18 million such students, 37.6 percent went to community college, says "Enrollment in Postsecondary Education,...

Senate Budget Committee adds to ed. budget.(CAPITOL briefs)
March 27, 2006... The Senate Budget Committee approved adding $1.5 billion to the president's request for the fiscal year 2007 discretionary federal budget for education. The committee's budget would give the Department of Education $55.8 billion next year. It...

Two W.V. college mergers approved.
March 27, 2006... CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- A measure to make Fairmont State Community and Technical College a division of Fairmont State University passed the Oklahoma legislature. And a separate measure to make West Virginia University Institute of Technology...

Elite colleges seek two-year college transfers.
March 27, 2006... LANSDOWNE, Va. (AP) -- Signs are everywhere, from BMWs parked on campus to students' designer cell phones to the number of families paying full price even as tuition and fees climb past $40,000 a year. The most prestigious colleges are...

Despite hazards, coal-miner training full up.
March 27, 2006... BIG STONE GAP, Va. (AP) -- Roof falls, methane explosions, machines pinning workers. Nobody gets out of Gary Whisman's training class for coal miners without hearing in detail the many ways they can be seriously hurt or killed. But the...

Junior college plan may force ISU to cut tuition.
March 27, 2006... POCATELLO, Idaho (AP) -- Plans for a new statewide community college system could force Idaho State University to cut tuition at its Center for Higher Education campus in Idaho Falls to match rates at other schools. Legislators on Thursday...

Remediation rates steady for Okla. freshmen.
March 27, 2006... OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The number of Oklahoma college freshmen who require remedial courses before taking classes for credit appears to be holding steady, according to a report from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. Remedial...

Legislative advocate for community colleges dies.
March 27, 2006... ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) -- Jeanette F. Reibman, a longtime Lehigh Valley lawmaker who became the first woman elected to a full term in the Pennsylvania Senate, died. She was 90. Reibman, who had been a state representative for a decade, was...

Cunningham out of running for agency job.
March 27, 2006... LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Former Lansing Community College President Paula Cunningham said Monday that she no longer is pursuing the top job at the Department of Labor and Economic Growth to avoid a potential conflict with state law. Gov....

Idaho rejects community college study.
March 27, 2006... BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- The Idaho House of Representatives rejected a proposal Wednesday to form a summer study committee on community colleges. The resolution, sponsored by Democratic Reps. George Sayler of Coeur d'Alene and Donna Boe of...

Technical colleges partner in nanoscience degree.
March 27, 2006... FARGO, N.D. (AP) -- Two area colleges are joining in a two-year nanoscience technician degree. The Moorhead campus of Minnesota State Community and Technical College and North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton are partnering to...

Repealing immigrants' in-state tuition considered.
March 27, 2006... TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -- The Kansas House again will debate whether undocumented immigrants should receive a break on tuition at state colleges and universities. A measure to kill the current tuition law cleared a committee Wednesday. Kansas...

History professor suspended for his language.
March 27, 2006... LANCASTER, Pa. (AP) -- A history professor known for a casual teaching style at the Lancaster campus of Harrisburg Area Community College has been suspended for using a slang term for sexual intercourse in class. Academics disagree on...

Women's History Month celebrated through the arts.(around campus)
March 27, 2006... Scottsdale Community College in Scottsdale, Ariz., celebrated Women's History Month this month with an open-air gathering highlighting student and faculty performances of poetry, stories, song and dance by and for women, at the Retro Muse...

The Ford Foundation awarded $350,000 to Bronx Community College's National Center for Education Alliances in Bronx, N.Y., to continue a project to coordinate education in South Africa, started with a previous Ford Foundation grant.(Grants & Gifts)
March 27, 2006... The Ford Foundation awarded $350,000 to Bronx Community College's National Center for Education Alliances in Bronx, N.Y., to continue a project to coordinate education in South Africa, started with a previous Ford Foundation grant. The new...

Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif., received a $842,950 award.(Grants & Gifts)
March 27, 2006... Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif., received a $842,950 award from the Federal Workforce Investment Act for its Community Education Division for adult basic education and English as a Second Language.

Brevard Community College in Cocoa, Fla., received a $6,000 scholarship from Federally Employed Women, Space Coast Chapter.(Grants & Gifts)
March 27, 2006... Brevard Community College in Cocoa, Fla., received a $6,000 scholarship from Federally Employed Women, Space Coast Chapter. The scholarship will go to an individual to take classes at BCC's Institute for Business Training and Community...

The California Endowment for the Los Angeles Welcome Back Center awarded a two-year $754,984 grant to Mt. San Antonio College to help internationally trained health care professionals enter the field in the United States.(Grants & Gifts)
March 27, 2006... The California Endowment for the Los Angeles Welcome Back Center awarded a two-year $754,984 grant to Mt. San Antonio College to help internationally trained health care professionals enter the field in the United States. The school came up...

Professor uses sabbatical to return to her native Pakistan to help earthquake victims.(faculty lounge)
March 27, 2006... Time off from teaching doesn't always mean a traditional sabbatical. Rubina Azhar, an instructor at South Texas College's Department of Child Care and Development in McAllen, Texas, headed an effort to raise $9,000 for victims of the October...

Kim Churchill.(Honors & AWARDS)
March 27, 2006... Sociology instructor Kim Churchill was chosen by Guilford Technical Community College in Jamestown, N.C., as Employee of the Month for March. The college called Churchill "the queen of teamwork, constantly perform[ing] tasks that go above and...

Ken LaFountaine.(Honors & AWARDS)
March 27, 2006... The First Nations Club of Shoreline Community College in Seattle held a special ceremony honoring Native American Studies professor Ken LaFountaine for his role in developing the Intra-American Studies Program at SCC. In addition, the...

David Kile.(Honors & AWARDS)
March 27, 2006... David Kile, cosmetology instructor at Bates Technical College in Tacoma, Wash., won the Excellence in Teaching Award from the Washington Association of Occupational Educators. Kile works with business and industry and involves his students in...

Paul Michaud.(Honors & AWARDS)
March 27, 2006... Paul Michaud, director of transfer and career services at Raritan Valley Community College in North Branch, N.J., Was honored by the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education's Educational Opportunity Fund with the EOF Champion award for 2006....

Onondaga Community College.(APPOINTMENTS)
March 27, 2006... Dr. Emmanuel Awuah has been appointed director of the Office of Multicultural Resources and Diversity Awareness at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, N.Y. Awuah, who has been a professor at OCC for 12 years, received bachelor's degrees...

Metropolitan Community College.(APPOINTMENTS)
March 27, 2006... Russ Lane has been named by Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Neb., as executive director of institutional advancement, a position focusing on enrollment growth, fundraising, program development and alumni relations. Lane has worked at...

Randolph Community College.(APPOINTMENTS)
March 27, 2006... Dr. Larry Linker, former president of Randolph Community College in Asheboro, N.C., has been called out of retirement for four months to serve as senior vice president and chief operating officer for the college. Linker earned a bachelor's...

Ivy Tech Community College.(APPOINTMENTS)
March 27, 2006... Yvette Niekson Spicer was hired by Ivy Tech Community College, Indianapolis, to head Indiana Cares, a healthcare job-training initiative. Spicer previously served as director of community development and relations for Wishard Health Services....

Scottsdale Community College.(APPOINTMENTS)
March 27, 2006... John Thaxton was named coordinator of Scottsdale Community College's Senior Adult Program in Scottsdale, Ariz. He previously served as director of overseas degree programs at the University of Colorado at Denver. Thaxton earned bachelor's and...

Baton Rouge Community College.(APPOINTMENTS)
March 27, 2006... Dr. Elaine Vallette was named dean of nursing and allied health studies at Baton Rouge Community College in Louisiana. She previously was department head for undergraduate degree programs in nursing at McNeese State University in Lake Charles,...

Coming events.(Calendar)
March 27, 2006... Community College Week March 27-29, 2006 TechEd 2006 International Conference & Exposition Sharing the Vision Pasadena, Calif. www.techedevents.org March 31-April 4, 2006 The Higher Learning Commission 2016: Ready or Not?...