System News | Opinion

Q&A: Why Paul Francis wants you to reconsider community college

Paul Francis, the new head of the state’s community college system, is worried too many students have soured on the idea of going to college. He’s unsure the word is getting out that they might qualify for Washington’s generous financial aid program. And he’s still scratching his head over why two-year enrollment here has dropped so precipitously, although he has some theories. [State Board for Community and Technical Colleges]
The Seattle Times, Jan. 30, 2023

Shoreline Community College student earns prominent state-wide recognition

Former Shoreline Community College (Shoreline) student Zubeir Abdi was one of the 31 community and technical college students honored by the Washington State Association of Trustees (ACT) Monday night at the annual Transforming Lives Awards ceremony, a highly prestigious state system-wide recognition.
Shoreline Area News, Jan. 26, 2023

Peninsula College adapting to next generation of students

Today’s young people are more entrepreneurial, less trusting in institutions and endowed with greater confidence in their ability to succeed without a college degree than their peers of 20 or more years ago. It is a trend that started before the pandemic, said Peninsula College President Suzy Ames, but “COVID threw lighter fluid on this dynamic.”
Peninsula Daily News, Jan. 26, 2023

Spokane Falls Community College gets kids excited about STEM with interactive activities

Every month until May, Spokane Falls Community College has partnered with Spokane Public Schools for “Fun to Future at the Falls” programs. The programs are for 6-12th graders in an effort to get kids excited about college with hands-on, interactive activities. On Jan. 23, they featured Fungi and Arthropods, and in February they will feature Archaeology and Biological Anthropology.  [Video]
KHQ, Jan. 25, 2023

Bellingham Technical College welcomes new president

Amid enrollment declines and a nationwide shortage of trades workers, James Lemerond has taken the helm as president of Bellingham Technical College (BTC) as of Jan. 1. Lemerond brings more than two decades of experience working at technical colleges in Wisconsin and said he is excited to immerse himself in BTC and in Whatcom County with the ultimate goal of meeting the community’s needs for skilled labor.
Cascadia Daily News, Jan. 24, 2023

BBCC trustees meet with legislators

The Big Bend Community College Board of Trustees met with legislators at the capitol Tuesday to discuss legislative priorities. ... The itinerary also addresses that Big Bend is asking local legislators to support efforts to expand access to postsecondary credentials for students through bills like HB 1013 and HB 1003.
Columbia Basin Herald, Jan. 24, 2023

Skagit Valley College's Whidbey Island campus opens Niko's Closet clothing pantry

Skagit Valley College recently established a clothing pantry on its Whidbey Island campus in Oak Harbor that is named Niko’s Closet in honor of a student who died over winter break. Dusti Basconcillo, adviser of the college’s Rainbow Alliance Club on the Whidbey Island campus, said Niko was enthusiastic about a clothing swap held during the fall quarter.
Skagit Valley Herald, Jan. 24, 2023

Free English language, citizenship classes offered in Toppenish

Free English language and citizenship classes are available in Toppenish in a new collaboration between Yakima Valley College and the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic. The partnership brings out the best in both organizations, said Dustin Wunderlich, Yakima Valley College's director of community relations.
Yakima Herald-Republic, Jan. 23, 2023

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez tours Centralia College in first district visit as a congresswoman

In her first visit to the district since being sworn in to Congress, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Washougal, visited Centralia College Friday morning to meet student government leaders and college faculty, learn about ongoing programs and discuss federal priorities for the school.
Centralia Chronicle, Jan. 23, 2023

Bates Technical College’s Dental Assisting program earns re-accreditation

... “Maintaining full CODA accreditation for our program ensures the students are engaging in a program that has met the standards national in scope and represents the minimum skills to become an integral part of a dental team,” said Dental Assisting program instructor Teri Amundsen. [Bates Technical College]
Suburban Times, Jan. 22, 2023

Everett college students press Murray to boost financial aid funding

In a few months, Eric Wood said he expects to earn his degree at Everett Community College. It’s not a journey he ever envisioned a few years back when he struggled with alcoholism and lived on the streets, he told U.S. Sen. Patty Murray in an education roundtable Thursday at the community college.
Everett Herald, Jan. 21, 2023

Kirkland Police hold catalytic converter etching event to prevent expensive replacement bills

Kirkland police and Lake Washington Institute of Technology hosted their second Catalytic Converter Etching Event on Saturday. The purpose of the event is to help reduce the number of thefts in the community, and to help victims from facing an expensive bill. [Video]
Q13 Fox News, Jan. 21, 2023

Yakima Valley teaching winery wins several awards for student-made wines

The Yakima Valley College teaching winery, Yakima Valley Vintners, won several awards at the 2022 Great Northwest Wine Platinum Competition ... The five award-winning wines were made by students during classes in the Vineyard and Winery Technology Program, bringing the school’s running total to 12 platinum honors. 
NBC Right Now, Jan. 18, 2023

Trends | Horizons | Education

Designing assignments in the ChatGPT era

Some instructors seek to craft assignments that guide students in surpassing what AI can do. Others see that as a fool’s errand—one that lends too much agency to the software.
Inside Higher Ed, Jan. 31, 2023

Welcome to the Great Retraining

... Access to employer-sponsored training played a role in where job switchers decided to go, with two-thirds saying it was an important part of their current job, according to the report. Sixty-four percent of Great Resigners noted their current employer pays for online training or upskilling opportunities ...
Community College Daily, Jan. 25, 2023

Politics | Local, State, National

House GOP introduces PELL Act

Key House Republications on Wednesday introduced a bill that would extend Pell Grant eligibility to qualifying short-term workforce education programs. Among the eligibility requirements is a formula to determine if programs “provide a positive return on investment.”
Community College Daily, Jan. 26, 2023

‘Transformational’: Federal earmarks a boon for Higher Ed

... Over all, 540 institutions, including community colleges, public and private colleges, and university hospitals and medical centers, received more than $1.73 billion in earmarks across more than 800 projects, according to the Inside Higher Ed analysis of the database. 
Inside Higher Ed, Jan. 23, 2023