Join the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) for one of the most significant professional development events for leaders in community colleges and stakeholders within the two-year college sector. The annual conference, catering to diverse roles including CEOs, executives, community college faculty, trustees, and industry partners, promises high-energy keynote presentations, thought-provoking breakout sessions, and disruptive technology showcases. Keynote speakers this year include Gayle King, Jack Uldrich, and Anya Kamenetz.

This conference serves as a crucial platform for community college professionals at various levels, from entry-level positions such as administrative assistants and advisors to managers and executives, including deans, directors, and vice presidents. As the community college landscape evolves, the AACC event stands out as a hub for collaboration, innovation, and shared insights in the pursuit of advancing two-year college education.

Learn more about the conference, program, and events on the AACC Conference website. 

West Valley College is set to host a two-day drone education conference on March 14-15, 2024. Open to educators nationwide, the event features keynote speakers Nicole Bonk, Skydio Director of Flight Testing, and Albert Lin, National Geographic Explorer.

The conference includes presentations, workshops, and insights into drone technology applications in fields such as Emergency Response, Utilities, Transportation, Agriculture, and Drone Delivery. The schedule includes insightful presentations, hands-on workshops, and flight demonstrations. Faculty attending both days receive a $700 stipend. Registration is free for all attendees. Corporate participants include Esri Drone2Map Team, Skydio Team, and Censys Technologies.

For registration and details, visit the conference page.

Discover success tips for your next ATE project proposal with the American Association of Community Colleges's (AACC) upcoming webinar, "Moving Up! How-to Tips for Success with YOUR Next ATE Project Proposal," scheduled for Feb 21, 2024. 

If your college has been an ATE grantee or you've new to the ATE community, this session is a must-attend to maintain the momentum. Learn how to leverage ATE funding for your college's technician education programs and students by taking the next step with additional ATE funding.

Join the AACC for an in-depth exploration where they will provide a comprehensive checklist and expert tips to enhance the competitiveness of your ATE proposal. Understand how requirements and reviewer expectations evolve as you progress, and discover valuable resources for making your proposal more viable.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain insights, strategies, and insider tips to navigate common pitfalls in seeking your next ATE grant. To register, please visit the Zoom registration website. 

In fall 2023, undergraduate enrollment in the U.S. experienced a 1.2 percent increase, marking the first rise since the pandemic. The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center's latest report revealed a growth of approximately 176,000 students nationally.

Notably, community colleges thrived with a 2.6 percent enrollment boost, indicating a positive recovery from pandemic-related losses. Community colleges focusing on vocational programs saw a remarkable 16 percent surge. Associate degree program enrollments rose by 2.2 percent, surpassing the 0.7 percent increase in bachelor's degree program enrollments.

Despite these gains, overall enrollments remain below fall 2019 levels. Furthermore, two-year public colleges and for-profit institutions experienced continued employment declines, with community colleges witnessing a 4.35 percent reduction in staff from 2020 to 2022.

The S-STEM REC (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Scholarship Program Resource Center) and the National Science Foundation are set to host a series of four S-STEM Proposal Preparation Webinars from January 22 to January 25, 2024.

The webinars aim to provide valuable insights and support for prospective S-STEM grantees, focusing on the 2024 S-STEM solicitation and the proposal preparation process.

Two sessions will address general questions about the new solicitation, while the other two will delve into discussions and questions specific to S-STEM projects at two-year colleges and minority-serving institutions. The webinars will feature Q&A sessions with NSF S-STEM program officers and panel discussions with S-STEM Principal Investigators. Participants will have the opportunity to register for sessions tailored to their institution types, fostering a collaborative environment for proposal preparation.

Don't miss the chance to engage with experts and enhance your understanding of the S-STEM program. Register and find more information on the S-STEM website.

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has partnered with five philanthropic organizations to launch the Responsible Design, Development, and Deployment of Technologies (ReDDDoT) program, committing $16 million to prioritize ethical and social considerations in emerging technologies. The collaborative initiative aims to embed ethical, legal, community, and societal considerations throughout the lifecycle of technology, promoting public well-being and mitigating potential harms. 

The ReDDDoT program invites multidisciplinary, multi-sector teams to submit proposals that examine responsible design, development, and deployment of technologies, aligning with the principles specified in the "CHIPS and Science Act of 2022." The program is supported by philanthropic partners, including the Ford Foundation, Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, Pivotal Ventures, Siegel Family Endowment, and the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation.

Key goals of ReDDDoT include stimulating research and innovation, creating inclusive communities of interest, educating the STEM workforce on responsible practices, accelerating societal and economic benefits, and empowering marginalized...

In a bid to empower users with valuable insights, the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) recently introduced the NCSES Knowledge Base. Launched as a user-centric resource, this platform offers self-service solutions to common queries related to NCSES data and tools.

The current repository features articles on various topics, including:
- Understanding and Using Public Use Files
- How to Build a Table
- How to Build a Chart
- How to Use Custom Dimensions

NCSES eagerly anticipates collaborative efforts with its users to enrich and refine this self-help repository. Users are encouraged to direct inquiries about NCSES data or tools to ncsesdata@nsf.gov. Explore the NCSES Knowledge Base on the NCSES website. 

The eagerly anticipated BEST Center 2024 National Institute is slated to take place online from January 4th to 5th, 2024, starting at 8:00 am for two days. Co-hosted by BEST and LBNL, this premier event is geared towards college faculty, students, and technical professionals seeking to enhance their understanding and application of high-performance building operations.

The central theme of this year's institute is "Less Carbon, More Action! Strategies for Buildings & Technician Education." Explore cutting-edge topics such as decarbonization through energy conservation, electrification, distributed energy resources & grid load flexibility, innovative technology research, building performance standards, residential and commercial demonstration projects, and education and workforce opportunities for "smart" buildings, building automation & commercial HVAC.

The institute offers a unique opportunity to learn about the latest advancements in building technology and educational strategies at the intersection of technician education, sustainability, energy conservation, clean energy, healthy building operations, and climate change mitigation policies. Join a dynamic lineup of speakers...

The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists (WDTS) has been a key player for over 60 years in preparing a highly skilled and diverse workforce to tackle challenges in energy, national security, and the environment. Leveraging the resources of the DOE's 17 national laboratories, WDTS offers unparalleled opportunities for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce development.

Through rigorous evaluation and best practices, WDTS stands out in the STEM community, providing high-quality programs at pre-college, postsecondary, and graduate levels. Thousands of students and educators from across the nation, including Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, and the District of Columbia, participate in WDTS programs annually.

The six core programs of WDTS cover faculty and undergraduate students, offering experiences at DOE national labs. Programs like Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI), Community College Internships (CCI), and Visiting Faculty Program (VFP) aim to turn STEM learning into STEM careers. Graduate students benefit from the Office of Science Graduate Student Research...

Dive into the intricate world of micro and nano technicians with the "Talking Technicians Podcast," hosted by Peter Kazarinoff. This podcast delves deep into the lives and roles of these technicians, unraveling their unique stories, responsibilities, and the path that led them to this specialized field. Supported by the Micro Nano Technology Education Center (MNT-EC) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) Advanced Technological Education (ATE), the podcast is a valuable resource for anyone curious about the fascinating realm of micro and nano technology.

Listeners can catch the latest episodes on Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts, gaining insights into the cutting-edge advancements and challenges faced by technicians in this evolving field. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your journey, the Talking Technicians Podcast provides a platform to explore the diverse facets of micro and nano technology.

Stay tuned for engaging conversations, expert insights, and a closer look at the individuals shaping the future of this dynamic industry.

Other Ways to Listen:

• YouTube
• MNT-EC Website

Recent Episodes: 

Recent episodes cover various roles from senior...