Community College Voice Podcast

In this episode, our guests talk about perimenopause and how more needs to be done to support community college employees with the challenges associated with it.  Approximately 50% of the population experiences perimenopause, and for many of these individuals—colleagues and leaders alike—this natural process brings physical and emotional symptoms that can disrupt workplace performance for years. A 2023 Korn Ferry survey of over 8,000 women found that 47% experienced symptoms affecting their work, with the majority feeling unsupported by their organizations around their perimenopausal needs. Symptoms like hormone fluctuations, hot flashes, and brain fog can hinder productivity and negatively impact career progression, absenteeism, and turnover, particularly among senior leadership. Unfortunately, many individuals are unaware of whom to approach about these issues, and few institutions have developed inclusive policies to address them.  Our guests are: Aliesha Crowe, vice president of academic affairs at Northwood Technical College Kristen Raney, president of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College 

The Inlet neighborhood in Atlantic City, N.J., has faced significant economic and resource-related challenges, prompting Atlantic Cape Community College to launch a transformative project focused on revitalization through collaborative partnerships. This podcast explores the college's strategy that includes housing development, economic revitalization, and workforce training.  Guests: Dr. Barbara Gaba, president at Atlantic Cape Community College Dr. Natalie Devonish, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management at Atlantic Cape Community College

This is our 100th episode! This episode was recorded live at the 105th AACC Annual in Nashville, TN.  Our guests are: Nicole Miller, associate dean of academic affairs and retention services at the Spring Hill Campus of Pasco-Hernando State College Dr. Jesse Pisors,  president of Pasco-Hernando State College Our guests talk about a recent initiative by Pasco-Hernando State College, which exemplifies best practices in fostering cultural change through effective listening, learning, and responsive action. The college leadership conducted a comprehensive "Listening Tour," engaging with students, faculty, and staff through small group sessions and an extensive online survey to gain deep insights into the institution's dynamics. Following thorough analysis and the creation of presentations, the findings were strategically communicated to both senior administrators and leaders involved in the college's strategic planning process. As a result, numerous specific actions have been implemented or are currently underway, leading to positive cultural shifts within the organization.   

In this episode, we talk to Kathleen deLaski, the author of the new book Who Needs College Anymore? Imagining a Future Where Degrees Won't Matter. Kathleen deLaski is the founder and board chair of Education Lab Design, which works with colleges to better align their institutions with the world of work.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Clyne G. H. Namuo, president of Joliet Junior College (JJC). Under Dr. Namuo, the college has adopted a "Design Thinking" approach to enhance strategic initiatives and solve problems.

In this episode, we talk to Itawamba Community College president Dr. Jay Allen about the college's MANUP program. The Minority Achievement Network for Upward Progression (MANUP) includes all ICC student men of color. Leadership skills, college and community involvement, educational advancement and fraternity are the highlights of the program.

In this episode, we talk to Linda Garcia, executive director at the Center for Community College Student Engagement (CCCSE) about the center's new report on student mental health. CCCSE's website: https://cccse.org/ Direct link to the report: https://cccse.org/supporting-minds

Dr. John Maduko is the inaugural president of Connecticut State Community College (CT State). In June 2023, Maduko led the final approval and consolidation of Connecticut's now former 12 independently accredited community colleges. 

CNM Ingenuity, an enterprise of Central New Mexico Community College, is positively impacting the outcomes of individuals in New Mexico and beyond through innovation, training, and economic development. CNM Ingenuity CEO Kyle Lee discusses programming, outcomes, and how the enterprise evolves to serve the changing needs of the workforce and of learners.

Artificial intelligence will make its imprint on far more than in the classroom. It will affect everything on college campuses, from student services, to infrastructure. Lee Lambert, chancellor of Foothill-De Anza Community College District, located in the heart of California's Silicon Valley, discusses the impact AI will have on community colleges and beyond, including the challenges and opportunities.

In this episode, we talk with the authors of the new book, "Discredited: Power, Privilege, and Community College Transfer" (Harvard Education Press). Our guests are: Lauren Schudde Associate Professor Educational Leadership and Policy The University of Texas at Austin Huriya Jabbar Associate Professor K-12 Education Policy, Rossier School of Education University of Southern California    

In this episode, we talk to Betsy Conway about the Lowe's Foundation Gable Grants Program. In 2023, the Lowe's Foundation launched a five-year, $50 million effort to help community colleges and other community-based organizations prepare 50,000 people for skilled trades careers.   http://lowes.com/foundation

Jo Blondin, president of Clark State College, talks about representing Community Colleges in negotiated rulemaking in Washington, DC.

Achieving Institutional Change in the Face of Faculty Resistance When data showed a persistent equity gap for Black and Latino/a/x students in mathematics, Tacoma Community College leadership knew a new model that did not incorporate four levels of pre-college math and a high-stakes placement test was needed. While some faculty were resistant, the college utilized grant funding, more data, and courageous conversations to change faculty mindset. Guests: Katie Gulliford, Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives, Tacoma Community College Christopher Willett, Interim Dean – Science, Engineering, and Mathematics, Tacoma Community College

In this episode, we talk about PepsiCo Foundation's Uplift and S.M.I.L.E. Scholarships for community college students.  Our guests are: Jonathan George, foundation lead for global social impact programs at PepsiCo Foundation Traci Rue White, director of early talent diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) at PepsiCo

In this episode, we talk about the process and outcomes of a Futures Committee in Arkansas that looked at designing the college of 2035 using the design principles of Foresight.  Speaker(s): Andrea Henderson, executive director of Arkansas Community Colleges Martin Eggensperger, president of Black River Technical College (BRTC) Wade Derden, executive vice president for advancement and government relations at National Park College  

Long Beach City College (LBCC) Superintendent-President Mike Muñoz discusses the transformational changes taking place at LBCC to support students and give everyone a sense of belonging.

Reading Area Community College (RACC) recently launched a $19.6 million project to renovate and redesign Weitz Hall, turning it into the Weitz Healthcare Pavilion. The Weitz Healthcare Pavilion will dramatically increase classroom and lab spaces for the 14 healthcare programs currently at RACC and allow for nine new healthcare programs. Guests: Dr. Susan Looney, president of RACC Tony DeMarco, executive director of the Foundation for RACC and the vice president of advancement

The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) hosts one of the most significant professional development events for leaders in community colleges and providers engaged with the two-year college sector. This event includes high-energy keynote presentations and breakout sessions addressing the sector's most pressing issues and opportunities, disruptive technology showcases, deep-dive problem solving work sessions, and unparalleled networking opportunities.

In this episode we talk to  Dr. Keith Curry, president of Compton College Dr. Michael Gavin, president of Delta College For more information about joining Dr. Curry and Dr. Gavin in their DEIA work, email Dr. Gavin.

This episode is about the Grow with Google program at Dallas College. Our guest is Greg Morris, Senior Vice Provost for Academic Services at Dallas College.

Public service industries, including police and fire departments, have an express need for completing educational benchmarks allowing for promotions and pay increases. Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) excels at partnering with area industry to meet expressed needs. Through industry discussion several educational models were developed to advance those working in our public service industries. We will present established models developed for the Department of Corrections, Police, Fire and Paramedic departments in the BCTC service area. Speaker(s): Dr. Melanie Williamson, Academic Dean, Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) Holly Clifford, Assistant Dean for the Communications, History, Languages, and Social Sciences Division, Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) Dr. Valdis J. Zeps, Academic Dean, Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC)

In this episode we talk about how Harper College and Achieving the Dream (ATD) are using their MacKenzie Scott charitable gifts to reach populations struggling against inequities.  Guests:  Dr. Avis Proctor, president of William Rainey Harper College Dr. Karen A. Stout, president and CEO of Achieving the Dream (ATD)

In this episode we talk about engaging adjuncts to promote student success. Record live at AACC Annual in 2023. Guests: Michael Baston, President of Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) Lisa Williams, Campus President of the Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) Western Campus Lindsay English, Assistant Provost and Vice President of Learning & Engagement for Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C)

Learn more about the Pepsico Foundation: https://www.pepsico.com/our-impact/philanthropy/pepsico-foundation Learn more about how Pepsico Foundation helps community college students: https://www.pepsico.com/our-stories/press-release/pepsico-launches-40-million-community-college-program-to-support-4000-black-and-03302021

In this episode, we talk to Betsy Conway about the Lowe's Foundation Gable Grants Program. Applications are due April 10, 2023. Learn more and apply: http://lowes.com/foundation The Lowe's Foundation has launched a five-year, $50 million effort to help community colleges and other community-based organizations prepare 50,000 people for skilled trades careers. The first round of the Gable Grants will focus on community and technical colleges, through which the foundation aims to address the skilled trades labor shortage, with a focus on young adults, especially from underrepresented and rural communities. April 10 is the deadline to apply. The skilled trades is in a workforce crisis, with 85% of contractors reporting trouble finding skilled workers, according to the foundation. An estimated 546,000 new skilled tradespeople are needed to meet the demand in 2023 alone, on top of the normal hiring. More about our guest:  As the director of the Lowe's Foundation, Betsy is responsible for the strategic execution of the new Gable Grants program, which provides grants to community and technical colleges and community-based nonprofit organizations that prepare individuals for careers in the skilled trades. She has been with Lowe's since 2019 and previously served as director, community relations, in which she led community partnerships in the Charlotte region and the company's volunteer program.

The AACC Innovation Challenege (CCIC) is led by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) in partnership with the National Science Foundation (NSF). It is a national competition where community college student teams, working with a faculty or administrator mentor, use science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to innovate solutions to real-world problems; participate in an Innovation Boot Camp; and compete for cash awards. Learn more: https://www.aaccinnovationchallenge.com/ Email questions: CCIC@aacc.nche.edu

In this episode, we talk with Stephen Miller, director of the Cybersecurity Center of Excellence at Eastern New Mexico University–Ruidoso, about cybersecurity training programs at community colleges, including how to grow programs even as technology changes and the need for collaboration.

Our guest is AACC's senior vice president of government relations, David Baime. We talk about community college students and federal student loans. To learn more, check out this policy document on the AACC website.

We talk to Hudson County Community College about how they are helping students succeed with their Hudson Scholars Program. Guests include: Dr. Christopher Reber, Hudson County Community College (HCCC) president HCCC student Latisha Straker Dr. Gretchen Schulthes, associate director, advising and transfer John Urgola, institutional effectiveness coordinator Some supporting data:  Fall 2021 Hudson Scholars | Fall-to-Spring Retention Fall 2021 Hudson Scholars | Meetings and Stipends 2021-2022 Hudson Scholars Return on Investment

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Audrey Yamagata-Noji. Dr. Yamagata-Noji is the VP, Student Services at Mt. San Antonio College in California.

In this episode, we talk about trauma-informed practices on a community college campus. Our guest is: Dr. Jo Alice Blondin, Ph. D., president of Clark State College in Ohio.

In this episode, we talk about Black Student Success Week – April 25-29. Be a part of Black Student Success Week by following @cablackstudents on Twitter or Instagram. Our guests are: Dr. Teresa W. Aldredge, Board of Directors, Umoja Community Education Foundation Kenneth Brown, El Camino College, Board of Trustee Member, and the Chair of California Community Colleges Trustees (CCCT) Board Dr. Byron Clift Breland, Chancellor of North Orange Community College District and the President of the Chief Executive Officers for the California Community Colleges (CEOCCC) Board Our guests encourage higher education institutions to become members and partner in Black/AA student success efforts with thevillagedemands.org. Founding affiliate organizations of The Village Demands are RSS Consulting, LLC, A²MEND, Umoja Community Education Foundation, National Council on Black American Affairs, and the Western Region Council on Black American Affairs.    

In this episode, we talk about credit vs. non-credit issues with Michelle Van Noy. Van Noy is an associate research professor in the Labor Studies and Employment Relations Department and director of the Education and Employment Research Center at the School of Management and Labor Relations at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. She is co-author of the new book, Credentials: Understand the Problems. Identify the Opportunities. Create the Solutions. (Stylus Publishing, 2022).   Q&A with her and her book co-author in the CCDaily.

In this episode, we meet the #EquityAvengers and talk about the diversity, equity, and inclusion work being done on community college campuses. Our guests are:  Dr. Keith Curry, president/CEO of Compton College Dr. Pamela Luster, president of San Diego Mesa College Follow @EquityAvengers on Twitter for their weekly #EquityChat.

In this episode, we talk about "The Great Resignation." Our guest is: Ragan Decker, PhD, SHRM-CP | Senior Researcher, Strategic Research Initiatives at Society for Human Resource Management Resources Articles Highlighting SHRM Research on the Great Resignation Why Are So Many Employees Quitting? SHRM Research Highlights Lasting Impact of the ‘Great Resignation' on Workers Who Choose to Stay SHRM Research Report on Untapped Talent  Ignoring untapped talent is costing your organization.

The 2022 AACC Annual, or AACC Annual Convention, will be held April 30 - May 3, in New York, NY. Learn more and register now:  https://s1.goeshow.com/aacc/annual/2022/index.cfm

In this episode we talk about AACC's Community College Innovation Challenge.  Learn more at http://www.aaccinnovationchallenge.com Join our Vet your idea session on 2/15! CCIC Application Idea Vetting Session February 15, 2022 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Eastern https://www.aaccinnovationchallenge.com/vet-your-idea/ The CCIC is led by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) in partnership with the National Science Foundation (NSF). It is a national competition where community college student teams, working with a faculty or administrator mentor, use science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to innovate solutions to real-world problems; participate in an Innovation Boot Camp; and compete for cash awards.  

In this episode of the podcast Dr. Martha Parham talks to Dr. Scott McLeod, who is a  Professor of Leadership for Educational Organizations at University of Colorado. Dr. McLeod is widely recognized as one of the nation's leading experts on P-12 school leadership, deeper learning, technology, and innovation. He is the Founding Director of the UCEA Center for the Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education (CASTLE), the only university center in the U.S. dedicated to the technology needs of school administrators. Dr. McLeod blogs about leadership and innovation at dangerouslyirrelevant.org

In this episode we talk to Norco College about how their Military Articulation Platform (MAP). MAP's goal is to make it normal and expected for all veterans and active duty service members to receive all the credit they deserve--up to one year of credit in programs leading to high-wage jobs and transfer. Our guests include: Mark DeAsis, Dean, Enrollment Services Dr. Samuel Lee, Vice P​resident, ​Academic Affairs​​ Terence Nelson  

Dr. Joe Schaffer is the president of Laramie County Community College. In this episode, we talk to him about rural community colleges.

In this episode of the podcast, we talk about how foundations and philanthropy are working to advance student success at HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College. Our guests are: Dr. John "Ski" Sygielski, president of HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College Dr. Linnie Carter, vice president of college advancement at HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College, and executive director of the HACC Foundation

In this episode, we talk about creating opportunities for expansion and diversity of cloud-skilled talent via flexible, stackable pathways in the state of Virginia. Our guests include: Mike Berman, Global Head of Academic and Workforce Solutions at AWS Education to Workforce team Dr. Chad Knights, Vice President of Information and Engineering Technologies and College Computing at Northern Virginia Community College Dr. Sharon Morrissey, Senior Vice Chancellor of Academic and Workforce Programs at the Virginia Community College System Learn more: https://aws.amazon.com/education/awseducate/aws-educate-institution/

JOIN US FOR THURSDAYS IN MAY Register now. AACC Digital is our response to the coronavirus pandemic. As a busy professional, the program is designed completely with you in mind. We understand that you're balancing a lot with your job and your personal life, and we have developed a schedule to deliver professional development that fits into your busy schedule. Learn more: https://s1.goeshow.com/aacc/digital/2021/index.cfm AACC Digital includes the following: On-demand workshops on the topics that most interest you On-demand new product showcases that demonstrate how your peer institutions are using products to impact student success Real time and on-demand, bite-sized 30-minute sessions that allow you to get a taste of a topic Discussion rooms, where you can take discussions from sessions you have attended into a designated space Exhibit hall where you can make appointments with exhibitors, watch videos about their innovations, and read product documents Celebration of Leadership, Truman, and Diverse Champion recipients, new, 25-year, and retiring CEOs, Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty honorees, and Awards of Excellence finalists and winners Keynote speakers Aaron Rodgers, America Ferrera and Misty Copeland

Over half of Amarillo College's enrolled students are grappling with housing and/or food insecurity. In this episode, we talk to Amarillo College's president Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart about how the college's culture of caring is helping students succeed. The new documentary, The Antidote, shows stories of Amarillo College's commitment to eliminating barriers for students even before the pandemic created more challenges. 

In this episode, we talk about creating opportunities for expansion and diversity of cloud-skilled talent via flexible, stackable pathways.  Guests: René Cintrón, PhD, Chief Education and Training Officer at Louisiana Community & Technical College System Mike Berman, Global Head of Academic and Workforce Solutions at AWS Education to Workforce team Learn more: https://aws.amazon.com/education/awseducate/aws-educate-institution/

In this episode, we talk about stackable credentials. Guests: Dr. Walter G. Bumphus, president and CEO of AACC Dr. Bill Pink, president of Grand Rapids Community College Jennifer Worth, senior vice president, AACC’s Workforce and Economic Development Link discussed in the episode: Learning and Employment Records  

Our guest in this episode is Kimberly Baker-Flowers, the University Diversity Officer at California State University - East Bay. We are talking about the language of equity and inclusion.

In this episode, we walk about short term pell grant program eligibility. Our guests include: David Baime, AACC's senior vice president of government relations & policy analysis Jolanta (JJ) Juszkiewicz, AACC's director of policy analysis Kent Phillippe, AACC's Associate vice president of research & student success

  Effective Online Teaching In this episode, we talk about effective online teaching during the pandemic. Our guests include: Dr. Walter G. Bumphus, president and CEO of AACC Linda García, executive director of the Center for Community College Student Engagement Dr. Rufus Glasper, president and CEO of The League for Innovation Dr. Kay McClenney, sr. advisor to the president and CEO of AACC Find more information at https://cccse.org/, https://eddesignlab.org/ and https://www.league.org/.

In this episode of Community College Voice, we talk about dual enrollment.  Our guests include: Tonjua Williams, president of St Petersburg College Joe Garcia, chancellor of the Colorado Community College System Amy Williams, executive director of the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (www.http://www.nacep.org/)