Save the date for the National Science Foundation's (NSF) upcoming Fall 2023 Virtual Grants Conference, scheduled for December 4 to December 7, 2023. Tailored for researchers, faculty members, and administrators, this virtual event promises a comprehensive exploration of NSF's latest programs and initiatives.

The conference agenda encompasses critical subjects such as proposal preparation, the NSF merit review process, directorate sessions, award management, conflict of interest policies, and updates to the NSF system. Regardless of professional experience, attendees can anticipate invaluable insights into current issues, policies, and procedures relevant to NSF grants.

Registration is currently open, offering participants access to a detailed overview of NSF's funding opportunities. The conference aims to equip attendees with the knowledge required to adeptly navigate the complexities of NSF grants, making it an indispensable experience for both seasoned professionals and newcomers.

For further details and registration, visit the NSF Virtual Grants Conference website.

In a move towards addressing challenges in the higher education transfer process, the U.S. Department of Education has released data spotlighting top-performing community colleges and universities facilitating seamless transitions for students. The announcement was made at a summit on transfer policy improvement held at Northern Virginia Community College, attended by leaders in higher education and government officials from 11 states.

Miguel Cardona, U.S. Secretary of Education, emphasized the disproportionate impact of credit transfer issues on students of color, who predominantly attend community colleges. He underscored the urgency of streamlining the transfer process, citing the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling against using race in admissions. Cardona stated, "No one will solve this challenge in isolation. We need leaders across higher education to collaborate intentionally."

The newly released data draws on an eight-year analysis of approximately 620,000 students who received federal financial aid and enrolled in a community college in 2014. Utilizing information from the National Student Loan Data System, the assessment evaluates the performance of institutions nationwide...

The American Chemical Society (ACS) has unveiled its PrepareCTP Seed Grant program, aimed at bolstering partnership building at community colleges and similar two-year degree-granting institutions. The grant focuses on preparing skilled technical workers (STW) in the chemical enterprise, referred to as chemical technical professionals (CTPs). With awards of up to $20,000, the grant program supports activities such as student stipends/scholarships, faculty workload release, instrumentation purchases, and other initiatives conducive to the preparation and recruitment of chemical technical professionals. The deadline for proposal submissions is now Dec.15, 2023. 

This initiative aligns with ACS's Strategic Initiative for Fostering a Skilled Technical Workforce, emphasizing the recruitment and engagement of a diverse group of students and potential employees in the chemical industry. Community colleges will receive financial support for training chemical technical professionals through activities including stipends, internships, equipment purchases, and partnership building with local businesses. The program seeks to assist students and faculty within programs that prepare chemical...

Colleges and universities are experiencing a surge in overall undergraduate enrollment this semester, marking the first increase since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted higher education. However, this growth is not uniform, as the number of incoming freshmen has declined by 3.6 percent, reversing gains seen in the previous year. The rise in undergraduate enrollment is primarily driven by Black, Hispanic, and Asian students, with historically Black colleges and universities witnessing a remarkable 6.1 percent increase.

Notably, community colleges account for nearly 60 percent of the growth in undergraduate enrollment, mainly due to dual-enrollment programs allowing high school students to take college classes. This shift is seen as positive news for community colleges and for returning students who may have faced challenges during the pandemic. Graduate enrollment has also seen a slight increase, particularly in graduate certificate programs, while students increasingly favor shorter-term credentials over traditional degrees.

The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center's data, which captures information through September 28, offers an encouraging outlook for higher education...

Many community college students often pursue multiple goals simultaneously. Recent findings from the Strada Education Foundation reveal that over half (55%) of individuals who attended two-year colleges within the past decade had at least two goals in mind, and a significant proportion (33%) had three or more goals.

The Strada Education Foundation conducted a survey of former community college students who are not currently enrolled to understand the various educational pathways they intended to complete upon enrollment. Respondents had the option to select multiple types of degrees, credentials, or other attainment goals. Approximately 65% of respondents stated that their primary objective during enrollment was to earn a credential, such as an associate degree or certificate, or to facilitate the transfer of their coursework to another educational institution. The remaining one-third indicated that they were seeking courses for skill development, professional growth, or personal enrichment. 

A more in-depth analysis reveals the intricate overlap of these goals. For instance, among the 65% who reported transfer or degree goals, more than half (55%) were also interested in skill...

AACC and ATE Central are pleased to announce the release of the 2023 ATE PI Conference mobile app! The app and companion website are designed to help you make the most of your conference experience. Use your phone, tablet, or Internet browser to create a personal schedule, stay up-to-date with the program and speaker lineup, search the attendee directory, and more. We look forward to connecting with you at this year's conference!

How to Download

Search your app store for the EventMobi mobile app or click the following link to download the app to your iPhone or iPad or Android device. Next, open the EventMobi app and enter code atepi2023 to launch the 2023 ATE PI Conference app. Log in with the email you used to register for the conference. Attendees who have downloaded the ATE PI Conference app in years past may have an existing user account. New users will be asked to create a password. For assistance with the app, email piapp@atecentral.net. 

Consider joining the Annual Advancing Indigenous People in STEM (AiSES) National Conference, a remarkable three-day event dedicated to empowering Indigenous individuals from North America and the Pacific Islands in their pursuit of excellence in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Since its inception in 1978, this conference has been a beacon of support for Indigenous high school juniors and seniors, college and graduate students, educators, and professionals in the STEM field.

At the AiSES National Conference, participants have the opportunity to engage with over 2,500 Indigenous individuals while connecting with leading companies, government agencies, private foundations, nonprofits, and tribal partners. This event offers a diverse range of activities, from professional development sessions and networking opportunities to research presentations, workshops, awards ceremonies, and traditional Indigenous cultural events.

Additionally, the conference hosts the largest college and career fair in Indian Country, where job seekers can participate in on-site interviews, receive interview coaching and resume development guidance, and access valuable career planning...

Join NSF at the 2024 American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Annual Conference and Exposition in Portland, Oregon, from June 23rd to 26th, 2024, for the NSF Grantees Poster Session. This session is designed for Principal Investigators with active projects in engineering education and related fields. 

Abstract submissions are now open on the ASEE website, with a submission deadline of November 1st, 2023. For more details on abstract submission, deadlines, the Author's Kit, and poster formatting guidelines, visit the Author's Kit page.

Remember to designate the NSF Grantees Poster Session as the "Primary Division" during the abstract submission process (located near the bottom of the dropdown list).

Please note that participation in the poster session is contingent upon submitting a paper to the conference proceedings. While full-length papers are encouraged, you can also submit a shorter paper (minimum of 2 pages) summarizing your work for this specific poster session. All abstracts and papers will undergo a review process, and acceptance is not guaranteed.

Mark your calendars for these important deadlines:

Abstract Submission:
  - Submission Window Opens: October...

After years of dedicated service, the National Convergence Technology Center (CTC) is bidding farewell as its National Science Foundation (NSF) grant concludes this weekend. Initially established as regional grants in the 2000s, the CTC evolved into a national Advanced Technological Education grant recipient in 2012, with a renewal in 2017. Based at Collin College in North Texas, the CTC has been instrumental in aiding IT faculty, administrators, and students nationwide by providing industry insights, faculty training, and educational resources. They've also released a comprehensive "CTC Impacts" book PDF to highlight their numerous achievements and successes.

As the CTC's journey concludes, the baton will be passed to the National Information Technology Innovation Center (NITIC), located at Columbus State Community College in Ohio. NITIC will carry forward many of the CTC's initiatives while introducing new programs and projects to support a broader array of IT topics and disciplines. Collaborating with NITIC, Collin College, Lone Star College, and Sinclair Community College, partners of the National CTC grant, will continue their involvement as sub-awardees. Additionally, the...

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has unveiled a $45.6 million investment across 24 research and education initiatives, aided by the "CHIPS and Science Act of 2022," aimed at advancing semiconductor technologies, manufacturing, and workforce development. These projects are part of the NSF Future of Semiconductors (FuSe) program, conducted in collaboration with companies such as Ericsson, IBM, Intel, and Samsung. The program's primary objectives are to foster the growth of a skilled semiconductor workforce and to drive innovations in semiconductor technologies and systems, addressing the nation's need for a secure and reliable supply of semiconductor technologies.

The FuSe program supports three key research areas: domain-specific computing, advanced function and high performance by heterogeneous integration, and new materials for energy-efficient and sustainable semiconductor systems. In addition to NSF funding, this initiative is supported by annual contributions from industry leaders, including Ericsson, IBM, Intel, and Samsung. This public-private partnership aims to guide research priorities, accelerate technology development, and prepare the future workforce while...