May is a busy month at CCBC. It marks the end of the academic year but also serves as a time to celebrate: students, of course, scholars, athletes and leaders, but also our faculty and staff, not just for years of service—for putting in time—but for the real achievement. To that end, I recently hosted CCBC’s Emeritus Induction Ceremony where we…
Continue readingSpring is among the best times of the year at any college because almost everyday we get to celebrate students, athletes, scholars, service, honor recipients…all the way up to Commencement. So it was with both pride and pleasure that I welcomed 400 of our academic elite at the recent Student Awards Banquet. Here at CCBC we often say that our…
Continue readingThis year I have had the honor of serving as the chair of the Board of Directors of the American Association of Community Colleges. As chair, I recently had the privilege of convening our association’s national convention in Orlando, Florida, welcoming 2,000 community college colleagues from around the country. In the spirit of the conference theme: “Our time has come,”…
Continue readingAs Virginia Senator Tim Kaine accepted the National Education Service Award at this year’s National Legislative Summit, he described education as “the great lifter and the great leveler.” These words speak to the heart of the open door mission of America’s community colleges, serving the 12 million Americans who fill our classrooms each year. The theme of “Diversity, Equity and…
Continue readingAlthough the perception of America’s colleges as tranquil oases of learning may have always been little more than a fanciful image, a harsh reality faces every community college president today. We are confronted with a challenge framed by a simple question: How do we keep our campuses safe? Whether the weapons wielded by potential attackers are high powered rifles or…
Continue readingThis is April, the month in which we celebrate Earth Day. CCBC faculty and staff have long been enthusiasts for—and advocates of—caring for the earth and the environment. In 2008, we took a strong first step towards solidifying college-wide enthusiasm for sustainability when I signed, on the college’s behalf, the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment. Through this agreement, we…
Continue readingIt has been my honor each year to host the President’s Distinguished African-American Lecture Series in February as one of several significant events designed to honor the contributions of African-American citizens. In March, we strive to do the same to celebrate Women’s History Month by hosting events that celebrate the achievements of distinguished women. This year, however, our lecture series…
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