Daily Lumina News 012920

The nation’s community colleges play a central role in producing a more educated workforce and promoting social mobility. They serve about 40 percent of all college students. But most students who enter these colleges do not graduate—only about a third of entering students earn a degree or certificate within six years.
Three Ohio community colleges that tested the Accelerated Student in Associate Programs (ASAP)—a well-regarded City University of New York (CUNY) effort that requires students to attend college full time and provides robust wraparound students services—are finding success with their own version of the program.

As traditional four-year colleges and trade schools evaluate new pathways to address changing employer and student needs, companies are increasingly partnering with career technical schools to shape the blend of academic and practical education needed to produce workforce-ready graduates.

Before Brandon English developed his own learning materials for the organic chemistry classes he teaches at Red Rocks Community College, his students were spending close to $600 for textbooks, in addition to paying tuition and fees. The high costs caused many of his promising students to drop out.
The rise of open educational resources at Colorado college campuses has helped shave costs for students. Red Rocks Community College is leading the pack, developing degree paths that require few textbooks.

A landmark agreement between San Jose State University and the State of California will turn an old state building near campus into affordable housing for students, staff and faculty.
The agreement is part of a larger plan to address the homeless crisis on campus. Student activists initially brought the issue to light following reports that 13 percent of San Jose State students had recently experienced homelessness and would often take drastic measures to find shelter.