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Boundless Potential

Good evening!
 
This morning, I had the opportunity to join many higher education and employer colleagues at a convening hosted by the Colorado Business Roundtable which focused on the “Road to Recovery” Initiative. I was struck by the alignment across the presenters’ comments on a few key topics: the importance of work-based learning, the need to destigmatize ‘non college’ learning pathways, a desire to focus on skills and credentials (as opposed to degrees alone), and the commitment we need to ensure all learners are connected to learning opportunities through reliable technology.
 
If you have been around higher education for more than a year (or, have an average amount of common sense), none of these ideas might seem new or controversial. But translating even common sense ideas into policies and, in turn practice, often proves far more challenging. Especially in education.
 
If everyone is aligned on the approach and generally on the outcomes they hope to see, why is that we have not made more headway? The challenge stems, in part, from the fact that in most facets of life -- and education in particular -- everyone likes change as long as they aren’t the ones that have to “do the changing.”
 
Tradeoffs and shifts in policy and practice come with real costs in the public sector that might mean reallocating funding and looking at new models for our institutions (a topic I touched on in Forbes). It is also a structural challenge -- the lack of a single coordinating force to bring together disparate functions within fragmented and at-times siloed systems (K-12, postsecondary education, workforce). It reflects a mindset that often focuses on “our purpose” or “our students” from an institutional or organizational, rather than a collective perspective.
 
But, all's not lost because indelibly, Colorado is already taking the first step by bringing together leaders from postsecondary education, workforce, industry and economic development to reframe our collective work around two key concepts: talent and learners. This is an accomplishment in and of itself. As we move through the pandemic, we now find ourselves in a unique moment to talk not only about the alignment across systems, providers and agendas but make a commitment to putting the learner - regardless of age - at the center of our respective, and hopefully, collective work.
 
With stimulus funds flowing not only to institutions of higher education and school districts, but to businesses and the state, can we better leverage resources to create a more robust and collaborative ecosystem that can advocate, champion and convene on behalf of Colorado learners? I would welcome your feedback and thoughts on how we might inspire a new learner-focused movement, statewide. Send me your thoughts here.
 
All my best for a great week ahead,
Alison
 
What We’re Reading
 
Breaking News: CU Votes to Pay Departing President Kennedy $1.36 Million: The University of Colorado Board of Regents voted today to pay departing president Mark Kennedy a lump sum of $1.36 million when he leaves his role on July 1. Kennedy, a former president of the University of North Dakota, was hired two years ago on a 5-4 party-line vote. His tenure has been controversial among students, faculty and staff including censures last month from the CU’s student government and the Boulder Faculty Assembly. [Colorado Politics}
 
Community College Education Increasingly Expensive for Many Students: For many students, attending community college requires tremendous financial sacrifices. According to research from the National College Attainment Network (NCAN), only 41% of community colleges were affordable for the average Pell Grant recipient during the 2018-19 school year. Based on the same research, only 23% of public four-year colleges are affordable, and Pell Grant recipients face an average funding gap of $2,524. The research shows that even when students attend the most affordable college in close proximity to their home and work, they still struggle to afford college and basic needs. [Market Watch]
 
Two Colorado Colleges Propose Name Change: Two rural campuses in Colorado that have faced declining enrollment have attracted the attention of state lawmakers, who are interested in removing “Junior” from the names of Otero and Trinidad State Junior Colleges, respectively. Policymakers are hoping that these proposed changes will improve the schools’ marketing efforts and attract more students. The fear across advocates of the proposed change is due in large part to students’ perceptions that the use of “Junior” in college names may suggest that the institutions are not full colleges. [Chalkbeat]
 
Feds Seek to Connect More Students to Internet: In light of 17 million students without internet connectivity nationwide, two federal agencies launched an initiative to connect more students to internet services, allowing them to log into online classes and complete online homework. During the pandemic, many low-income students had to complete coursework at restaurants, cafes, and parking lots in order to access free wifi for school. The Federal Communications Commission and the U.S. Department of Education are partnering to contact millions of families and students who benefit from free or reduced-price meal programs and Pell Grants to inform them of a $50/month discount on internet services and a $100 discount on an internet device such as a tablet, desktop or laptop computer. Families on tribal lands are eligible to receive the one-time electronic discount as well as a $75 monthly discount on internet services. [U.S. News & World Report]
 
What We’re Reading & Watching
 
Tomorrow: Federal Budget Reconciliation and its Policy Impacts: On Thursday, May 20 at 10am MT, join Whiteboard Advisors Senior Vice Presidents, Alison Griffin and David DeSchryver as they break down federal budget reconciliation, discuss its implications for education and workforce policy, and share their predictions for the future of lawmaking and the reconciliation process. It is likely that Democratic leaders in Congress will engage in comprehensive infrastructure legislation using budget reconciliation, making the topic especially relevant. To register for the webinar, visit this link.
 
Tomorrow: Student Privacy and Data Governance: The Education Commission of the States will host a webinar on Thursday, May 20 at 11 MT as part of a series titled, “Data Privacy Lessons from the Pandemic.” This Thursday’s webinar will cover how to protect student privacy through data governance. To register for the webinar, visit this link.
 
Learning About Pre-Apprenticeships, Competitive Fields, and Career Prep: On Monday, May 24 at 2pm MT, join Voxy EnGen to learn more about how pre-apprenticeships and other career-specific content can prepare learners for in-demand jobs in healthcare, technology, and other fields. Pre-apprenticeship programs allow individuals to earn as they learn, supporting more earnings and career advancement. English language learners have higher engagement and success in programs when they are offered personalized, industry-specific training. To learn more and register for the webinar, visit this link.
 
Enrollment Decline, Improving Access at Community Colleges: Join Strada and CollegeAPP researchers as they discuss the student learner perspective, how community college leaders are intervening to counteract enrollment decline and improve access and completion, and what solutions can better support students as they work towards their educational goals at the community college level. Strada and CollegeAPP will host a discussion on Wednesday, May 26 from 12-1pm MT. To register, visit this link.
 
FAFSA and High School Graduation Requirements: On Wednesday, May 26 at 1 PM MT, join the Education Commission for the States for a webinar titled, “FAFSA First: States Move to Update High School Graduation Requirements.” To register for the webinar, visit this link.
 
Opportunities We’re Following
 
Professional Summer Program Accepting Applications: The Quad Innovation Partnership is accepting applications for its summer program, which will take place from June 14 - July 16. Applications are due Monday, May 24th. The Quad Innovation Partnership program is open to any students or recent graduates of Colorado College, Pikes Peak Community College, the University of Colorado - Colorado Springs, and the US Air Force Academy, regardless of the student’s current location. The program is virtual and requires a 20 hour/weekly commitment in exchange for a $1,000 admission award. To read more and apply for the summer program, visit the Quad Innovation Partnership website here.
 
Horizons 2021: Economic Advancement and Equity Conference: Registration has opened for the Horizons Summit hosted by Jobs for the Future (JFF) from June 15-16. Horizons will offer live content, discussions, and on-demand features that can be watched at any time. Featuring influencers and guests including Ibram X. Kendi of the Center for Antiracist Research at Boston University; Sheri Schultz, co-founder and chair of the Schultz Family Foundation; Ali Velshi, senior correspondent for CNBC; and Dalila Wilson-Scott, executive vice president and chief diversity officer at Comcast, Horizons will present attendees the opportunity to discuss how to achieve economic advancement through educational equity, workforce systems alignment, and inclusive regional development. To register for the event, visit this link.
 
Technical College Foundation Seeking Grants Manager: The Emily Griffith Foundation is seeking a grants manager. The Foundation provides resources and funding to students, faculty, and programs to support Emily Griffith Technical School’s low tuition rates. The grants manager will lead fundraising efforts by focusing on existing fundraising partners and also extending to new ones. The grants manager will engage in researching funding opportunities, writing successful proposals, engaging in project management, and ensuring compliance with grant agreements and reporting requirements. To read more about the school, visit this link. To apply, send a cover letter, resume, a sample successful grant proposal or corporate sponsorship appeal, and an additional writing sample to info@egfoundation.org.

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