In a recent Dear Colleague Letter (DCL), the National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced an invitation for supplemental funding requests from current Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) and Advanced Technological Education (ATE) grantees to test, integrate, or build upon AI-based career learning opportunities and workforce preparation efforts for high school students. 

To be eligible for additional funding, proposals must demonstrate partnership among community colleges, high schools, and industry collaborators. Supported activities include curriculum development, micro-internships, hands-on training, certification programs, and dual enrollment opportunities. 

To determine eligibility prior to official proposal submission, contact the “Expanding AI Career and Skilled Technical Workforce Opportunities in Support of High School Students” program leads by providing a two-page summary of the planned funding request, including its budget, to: 

• [email protected] for current ExLENT awardees
• [email protected] for current ATE awardees

If approved to submit, supplemental requests are due by December 15th, 2025. 

NSF ATE and ExLENT program officers...

Hosted by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), the 2025 FOCUS: Intelligent Vision & Industrial AI Conference will be held on September 24-25, 2025, at the Sheraton Grand Seattle in Seattle, Washington.

Attendees will have the opportunity to explore cutting-edge advancements in AI-driven automation, robotics, machine vision, and transformative technology, with applications for fields including manufacturing, aerospace engineering, and information technology. Industry leaders will share expert insights on the latest AI trends and innovations, helping attendees learn, grow, and stay at the forefront of advancements.

The FOCUS conference will offer interactive exhibits for hands-on exploration of AI-based technologies, various networking opportunities to foster connection, and a variety of panel and keynote speaker presentations.

To learn more or to register for the event, visit the 2025 FOCUS conference's website. 

A recent report from the American Enterprise Institute and the Burning Glass Institute analyzes non-degree credentials for the potential to lead to increased earnings, position advancements, or career changes. 

In the report, the American Enterprise Institute notes varied results surrounding non-degree credentials, with only 12% offering the opportunity for significant salary gains. Almost one-fifth of the learners studied saw no increases in wage after program completion, and few experienced career advancements. On the other hand, the top non-degree credentials were associated with an approximately $5,000 salary bump and a 17 times chance of promotion one year later. Even within specific fields, reported outcomes were mixed, including the professions of data science, accounting, and marketing. 

To make report findings more accessible, the American Enterprise Institute and the Burning Glass Institute have developed an interactive dashboard with detailed information on the thousands of non-degree credentials studied. 

Read the full report on non-degree credentials and career outcomes here.

EvaluATE, the evaluation resource center for NSF's ATE program, will be hosting an upcoming PI-Evaluator Meet and Greet on Wednesday, August 27th, from 2:00-3:15PM EST. This virtual event offer a collaborative way to connect with potential evaluators for your ATE project or center, facilitating valuable partnerships and connections. During the Meet and Greet, attendees will discuss the various approaches for evaluation and have the opportunity for one-on-one sessions with available evaluators, with the goal of finding the best fit to meet your specific proposal needs.

To register for the PI-Evaluator Meet and Greet on August 27th or to learn more about the event, visit EvaluATE's website.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has recently announced a $25.5 million investment in manufacturing technologies, research, and workforce pipelines. As part of the NSF Future Manufacturing Program, awards will fund nine seed projects and seven research grants across the nation.

Focus areas for investments include cyber manufacturing, bio manufacturing, and quantum manufacturing. NSF's Future Manufacturing Program underscores the importance of collaboration and interdisciplinary teamwork to propel innovation, address gaps in technologies and workforce pipelines, and strengthen the U.S. presence as a leader in manufacturing. 

Visit NSF's website to read more about its recent awards.

A recent report has been released by Civitas Learning, a company that provides higher ed institutions with data-driven insights to improve student outcomes. Exploring the top initiatives fostering learner achievement, the 2025 Student Success Impact Report discusses the role of personalized support, retention, resources, and sense of belonging. It dives into longitudinal findings, comparing 2021-2023 with 2021-2024 in an analysis of over 50 institutions and 5 million students. According to the report, current top initiatives with the highest impact include academic planning, in-person library resources, and advising appointments. It also notes a main takeaway from trend and data analysis: students desire support beyond the classroom, with personalized guidance and connection.

To read the free 2025 Student Success Impact Report and explore its insights, trends, and strategic recommendations, visit Civitas Learning's website.

This year's National Cybersecurity Capabilities and Careers Summit (3CS) will take place August 14 to August 16, 2025, at the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. It aims to bring together educators, employers, policymakers, managers, innovators, and industry leaders, with opportunities to explore, learn, and collaborate on cutting-edge technologies and approaches for the field of cybersecurity. This summit will include symposiums in five areas of focus, including Learning and Instruction, Technology and Careers, and Capability Maturity. Beyond these offerings, 3CS will have interactive experiences to foster skill development, focused workshops, education- and practice-based demonstrations, focus groups, and featured presentations.

For additional information or to register for the 2025 National Cybersecurity Capabilities and Careers Summit, visit the event's website.

According to a recent publication by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), only 64.5% of eligible students at public community colleges - excluding those with a prior bachelor's degree and foreign learners - applied for federal aid during the 2019-2020 academic year. More than 25% of non-applicants would have likely received some level of a Pell grant based on Expected Family Contribution.

In AACC's analysis of the 2019-2020 data, full-time learners were more likely to apply for federal financial aid than part-time students. Those pursuing an associate degree applied for support more often than those not enrolled in degree-seeking programs. Additional, students who were unemployed or worked part-time were more likely to apply for federal financial aid than those with full-time jobs.

Read the publication by AACC here.

The June/July issue of the American Association of Community Colleges’ (AACC) Community College Journal is now available online and in print through subscription. A featured publication by AACC, this journal provides contemporary information, insights, strategies, and connections for those in academia, industry, government, and workforce development.

The latest issue highlights:

• The impact of leadership within the community college setting and how to foster its development
• Data availability and how states can strengthen information systems
• Strategies to achieve a sustainable work-life balance as a leader
• The importance of succession planning and pathways within community colleges
• Artificial intelligence as a tool for reflection and supporting leadership
• An exemplar on connecting students through an innovative, digital campus portal

AACC's June/July publication of the Community College Journal can be accessed online here, and archived issues can be viewed in AACC’s library.