Diversity is the focus of many of the 200-plus sessions, roundtables and workshops of the 89th annual American Association of Community Colleges convention in Phoenix April 4-7.
As part of the convention’s theme—“Diversity: Our Vision. Our Value.”—some 1,500 senior administrators from community colleges, businesses and organizations from the U.S. and abroad will gather to discuss pressing issues facing community colleges, from immigration and higher education, to preparing workers for a global economy.
The convention will open with a keynote by political strategist Donna Brazile, chair of the Voting Rights Institute and the first African American to lead a major campaign by serving on the Al Gore-Joseph Liberman ticket in 2000. She is a frequent commentator on political news programs, such as CNN, ABC News and National Public Radio.
A recent addition to the convention is Soledad O’Brien, an anchor and special correspondent for CNN Worldwide, who will deliver the keynote speech at the closing plenary session. Since joining the network in 2003, O’Brien’s most recent projects include “CNN Presents: Black in America,” a groundbreaking initiative that focused on the state of Black America 40 years after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Discussions about politics and economics will feature prominently at this year’s convention. AACC’s government relations department will host a “super session” on the federal stimulus package with federal officials and what it means for community colleges, as well as general information on what two-year colleges can expect from the Obama administration.
Preparing students for success is also a hot topic. The convention will feature a spotlight session on the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s new billion-dollar initiative to improve postsecondary success. Diane Troyer, a senior program officer at the foundation and a former community college president, will lead the discussion.
The conference will also have sessions on successful programs fostered through the federal Community-Based Job Training Grants program.
Global issues are a growing concern among many community colleges, especially as they prepare students for a global economy. Discussions at the conference will include supporting Latino community college success and fostering international collaborations. Ted Fishman, the best-selling author of China Inc., will provide an overview on global trends during a forum session and will sign copies of his book at the AACC booth in the exhibit hall.
Several sessions and roundtables will tackle the issue of immigration, including a focus session that will look at the immigration issues facing courts, legislatures and campuses. It will include nationally known experts as well as media, including representatives from the New York Times and Inside Higher Ed.
There will also be a forum on Asian-American and Pacific-Islander serving institutions that will include Rep. Michael Honda (D-Calif.), a member of the House Appropriations Committee who is a former science teacher and principal.
With the expected surge of veterans returning home and headed to college, several sessions will address serving military service members and veterans and their families. Molly Corbett Broad, president of the American Council on Education, will share her vision for a comprehensive response from the higher education community and will offer practical solutions for creating veteran-friendly campuses.
Sustainability continues to be a focal point on campuses, especially with President Obama’s plans to create green jobs in current and emerging industries. Several sessions will cover creating partnerships in energy programs (particularly in rural areas), building green academies and exploring new industries and technologies.
Sandra Taylor, president and CEO of Sustainable Business International and formerly a senior vice president of corporate social responsibility at Starbucks, will discuss how the “green revolution” fits into the corporate bottom line at the Presidents Academy Hail and Farewell Luncheon.
The AACC conference is also a good place to find new reports. The association will release its new “Education Plus 50 Learners: Opportunities for Community Colleges,” which comprises the results of a survey to identify existing and planned programming for plus 50 students. All convention attendees will receive an executive summary of the report.
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