in Celebrations, Uncategorized

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

Recently, I read of a young Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia whose recent film “All We Imagine as Light” won the Grand Prize at the Cannes Film Festival in May. As she spoke of the film—a portrait of life in Mumbai—she made this statement: “Real life is more interesting than cinema can be . . . . if your real life…

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in Community college, higher education, Jobs, Workforce Development

Celebrating the Future of Work: 2024 National Apprenticeship Week

Over the past week, I have been immersed in discussions with community college presidents and state government officials that speak to “the future of work.” From the Workforce Commission of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) in Washington, D.C. to a gathering of higher education leaders at the Universities at Shady Grove, and finally, an Internship and Apprenticeship event…

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in Community, Community college, Veterans

Honoring Our Veterans

This year, Election Day and Veterans Day fell within 6 days of each other, connecting with powerful imagery at both ends of the cycle and linking them inextricably together. At the end of a divisive and often toxic political campaign, Election Day on November 5 reaffirmed for us – everyday Americans that we are – that we have the power…

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in Holiday

Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Embracing History and Heritage

CCBC is proud to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day. This national holiday, established by proclamation of President Biden in 2021, honors the diverse cultures and traditions that flourished long before the formation of the United States. Indigenous Peoples’ Day urges us to move beyond the narrow accounts in history books, to deepen our respect for the legacies of native communities. It…

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in Celebrations, Community, Community college, Diversity

Pride Month 2024: Cultivating Safe Spaces

Emerging from the pivotal events of the Stonewall Riots in June 1969, Pride Month stands as a powerful testament to unity. It has evolved into various expressions from vibrant displays to poignant rallies that honor the resilience and advocacy of figures like James Baldwin who once said, “Everybody’s journey is individual.” At CCBC, we join our community college colleagues in…

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in Commencement, Community college, higher education, Leadership, Students

The 2024 Commencement: A Slightly Different World View

For those of us who are academics, Commencement is the high point of the academic year. We pay tribute to the talent, hard work and resourcefulness of both our students and ourselves. This year, on a beautiful sunny Saturday, CCBC celebrated 2,700 graduates. Although not all 2,700 attended the event, an impressive sea of 800 caps and gowns filled the…

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in Commemoration, Community, Community college, Equity, higher education

Commemorating Juneteenth

Juneteenth is the oldest commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Although President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, the news took two years to travel to the last enclave of enslaved people in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865. While Juneteenth has been recognized for decades by black communities across the nation, it has gained…

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