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This 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 readingThe weather predictions were gloomy, but the rain clouds held back their tears for our 2018 Commencement ceremony. There was no way the overcast skies could dull the shine on the faces of our graduates, their family and friends as they gathered to celebrate the awarding of well-earned degrees. Held on the grounds of CCBC Essex, the ceremony was scheduled…
Continue readingFifty years ago, the United States sent its first manned aircraft to orbit the moon, Boeing introduced the first 747 jumbo jet, and I began my career as a community college professional. While my entry into the community college sector may not have had a national or regional rippling effect, for me it was a significant event. It was a…
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