Daily Lumina News 053023

When George Floyd was murdered by a Minneapolis police officer in May 2020, dozens of college leaders issued statements decrying racism and pledged to double down on plans for systemic change.
Three years later, those commitments are being tested as lawmakers in 20 states try to chip away at or, in some cases, take a sledgehammer to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. This time, most of those leaders have stayed silent.

The importance of student well-being in achieving persistence and completion is being recognized by colleges more and more. What does this mean for the growing numbers of students who are studying partially or fully online?
Leaders from three very different institutions talk about creating online or blended educational experiences that build a sense of community and belonging for students, prepare faculty and staff members to respond to learners’ social and academic needs, and use data effectively.

An organization that has drawn hundreds of people into the teaching profession in Detroit by giving them a faster path into the classroom is expanding to five other Michigan communities with an initiative to recruit and retain more than 700 teachers.
Teach for America Detroit is launching Teach Michigan, which will develop teachers in high-poverty schools and provide support and training as a way to ultimately improve outcomes for some of the most vulnerable students in Michigan.

Maria Chávez is part of the relatively small group of Latinos in the academic world. Achieving academic tenure, professors say, is a difficult and challenging process.
Now, they're also grappling with how to navigate the increased politicization of education as states like Florida limit diversity initiatives and place controls on educational content and courses, particularly those on race and ethnicity.

Unlike in decades past, where students followed a linear path to and through higher education, today's college-going realities look very different. A new group of learners has emerged. They are the "and-ers": students simultaneously balancing education and work, education and parenting, education and deployment, education and caring for aging parents. The "and" list goes on.
To serve "and-ers" well, colleges have to do more than just offer a little extra flexibility through night classes or online programs. Colleges must retool their educational offerings, programs, and support services, says the president of National University in this commentary.

UrbanPlan is a volunteer program through the Urban Land Institute with a big goal: giving young people a voice in their future and the future of their communities.
The effort is a realistic exercise in which high school and college students learn about the fundamental forces of community planning—and how to consider whether planning and development take into account the entire community’s interests.