Daily Lumina News 121422

Faculty members—as well as staffers—are on the front lines of higher education’s battle to arrest declining student mental health, ravaged by nearly three years of the COVID-19 pandemic combined with such stressors as climate disasters, racial unrest, political incivility, and culture wars.
Higher ed institutions across the country are rolling out or beefing up efforts to help faculty recognize and support students in psychological distress. Some say it’s too much to ask; others contend it’s not enough to help.

As institutions wrap up their fall semesters, many faculty, staff, and students look forward to a chance to go home to familiar stomping grounds and family traditions.
But for students who identify as LGBTQ+, particularly those who identify as non-binary, going home for winter break can paint a more complicated picture.

Student disengagement has increased dramatically since the pandemic, causing concern that maybe the social contract between students and professors is breaking down.
Do students believe that college lecturing is still worth hearing? Or, will this moment force a change in the way college teaching is done?

Nurses continue to be in high demand as hospitals are still struggling to fill their ranks. But, in Baltimore County, a new partnership could fill that gap.
The effort, the Public Health Pathways Program, will cover tuition for the Community College of Baltimore's certified nursing assistant program. Graduates will then be guaranteed a job at St. Joseph Medical Center, Baltimore County, where they'll continue their education on site. Participants also will receive a monthly stipend of $1,000.

Last week, a group of higher education organizations announced a new effort to provide outreach and coaching services for California residents who are just shy of completing a college degree.
In this interview, Kai Drekmeier of InsideTrack—one of four partners on the project—talks about the group's ambitious plan and the role each partner will play.

"Skills-first" thinking is on rise, with more and more employers coming out in favor of looking at a person’s skills and eagerness to learn instead relying only on specific degrees.
Four leading workforce experts share their thoughts on the growing skills-first shift and what it means for workers and employers.