Daily Lumina News 052522

Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia, did something last month that few thought possible: It was reaccredited after 20 years. News of its achievement traveled fast, and many saw it as a symbol of hope for other small historically Black colleges on the brink of closure.
But the process also raised bigger questions about whether accreditation practices are unfair to minority-serving institutions.

New York State joined the free college movement in 2017, with the creation of the Excelsior Scholarship program. It was hailed by advocates as the first statewide program to cover tuition not only at community colleges but also four-year universities.
But a new report says that while the program continues to mostly cover tuition for middle-income students, it leaves out far too many low-income students.

On this podcast, Lumina Foundation's Dr. Zainab Okolo discusses the growing mental health crisis happening on college campuses across the country and its impact on adults and students of color in particular.
Dr. Jo Blondin of Clark State College joins the conversation to offer insight on how her school is supporting students, staff, and faculty through a culture of care.

Only 52.8 percent of Tennessee high schoolers enrolled in college after they graduated in 2021, says a new report from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. Latinos were the least likely to enroll.
For those who do want to go to college, there are several barriers preventing them from doing so—including a lack of counseling support, having to help with family finances, not being prepared for higher education in high school, and the high cost of getting a degree.

How can community colleges better plan for the future (or, better yet, futures)? Developing a futures mindset is a good start.
Parminder K. Jassal, founder/CEO of Unmudl Skills-to-Jobs Marketplace, describes the how and why of developing a futures mindset, plus some signals that have the potential to disrupt higher education.

Like millions of people who borrowed for their education, Ryan Tucholski is eagerly awaiting to hear how the Biden administration will address the country’s collective $1.7 trillion outstanding student loan balance.
The White House’s decision will determine the shape of the future for tens of millions of Americans. Research shows student debt can make it more challenging for borrowers to start businesses, save for retirement, pursue education and training, have children, and become homeowners.