According to a January 2020 working paper from the Community College Research Center (CCRC), external, internal, and interpersonal dynamics all “have implications for practitioners, funders, and policymakers looking to enact technology-mediated advising reforms.”

This research is based on interview data from stakeholders at two- and four-year colleges, from different regions (Southwest, Midwest, and South), demographic makeups, and settings (rural, town, or city). The study examines dynamics such as state policies on college completion, centralization of advising policies and procedures, and individual advising approaches. 

Findings suggest that a large obstacle to instituting advising reform comes from economic challenges (state funding cuts, shifts in demographics and enrollment). Such changes can mean high advisor turnover or large caseloads, and can have a negative impact for the success of advising initiatives, particularly where technology-mediated reforms are concerned. The strongest positive impact came from having “a rationale and organizing framework for envisioning and enacting institutional change to promote student success.” Despite challenges, external pressures...

Writing an NSF ATE program track proposal and need budget assistance? The National Science Foundation's (NSF) Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program grant proposal writing process can seem daunting to those new to the ATE program. Each year, Mentor-Connect offers a detailed cost-free technical assistance webinar highlighting all aspects of the budget and budget justification for those building competitive grant proposals for ATE. 

The purpose of this webinar is to help those who have not been funded by NSF to develop fundable proposals. Webinar Participants will learn: how to prepare a budget for their NSF ATE grant, what to include in each budget category, how to prepare a budget justification, how to align the budget and project description, and how to avoid common errors.

Join presenters on Thursday, March 12, 01:00-02:30 pm EDT. The webinar will be recorded, so sign up even if you can't attend to get a copy of the recorded presentation emailed to you. Presented by Mentor Connect.

Are you ready to teach Generation Z—the most diverse generation to enter U.S. higher education and the workforce in history? Are you seeking ways to recruit and retain women—who continue to lag in participation in the technician workforce? Once you’ve recruited diverse learners and workers to your technician program or workplace, do you know what to do next?

This webinar from the team at SRI International will discuss targeted coaching skills that both technician instructors and employers need to know to be successful. It will share broad research findings from both studies and interviews about effective coaching principles and methods. It will spotlight two technician education practitioners who have used these principles and methods to develop effective targeted coaching approaches. You will learn how they used design methods and key principles. You will see some models that you can use to develop your own local targeted coaching program. This webinar will build your understanding of the unique needs of diverse learners and help you understand the opportunities for building on the distinct experiences and perspectives of diversity in both classroom and work apprenticeships.

For the fifth year, AACC in partnership with the National Science Foundation, is inviting community college students to participate in the Community College Innovation Challenge (CCIC). 

The CCIC is a prestigious competition where community college student teams, working with a faculty or administrator team mentor, use science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to innovate solutions to real-world problems; earn travel support to attend an Innovation Boot Camp in Washington, DC; and compete for cash awards. 

The Boot Camp provides hands-on learning opportunities and coaching designed to build strategic communication and entrepreneurial skills—and includes a student poster session on Capitol Hill, and a formal pitch presentation at the Boot Camp in front of a panel of industry professionals, to determine the first and second place winning teams. 

Diverse and interdisciplinary teams that include students in STEM, business, humanities, and other fields are encouraged to register for the challenge and apply by the March 31, 2020 deadline.

Do you have an NSF or other federally funded project aimed at improving STEM or CS learning and teaching in formal or informal environments? If so, you are invited to be a presenter in this year’s STEM for All Video Showcase!

This year’s theme is STEM for All: Learning from Research and Practice. Videos should address at least one of the following: Strategies to broaden participation and increase access for all; research informing STEM and CS teaching and learning; challenges and strategies in the implementation of STEM and CS programs; measuring impact of innovative programs; or partnerships fostering participation and broader participation.

Successful videos will describe the need that the project addresses, the intervention, innovation, or research, and the potential impact of the work. Video presentations will cover a wide range of topics including, science, mathematics, computer science, engineering, cyberlearning, citizen science, maker spaces, mentoring, informal learning, professional development, research and evaluation, NGSS and the Common Core. The videos highlight initiatives for students of all ages (kindergarten through graduate school, as well as adult...