Preparing for this fall — and beyond

Community College Daily

Matthew Dembicki

June 18, 2020

Leaders of seven community college-based organizations on Thursday addressed an array of issues pertaining to the pandemic and equity, but two topics seemed to permeate through most of the discussion: Ensuring students have the technology needed to continue with remote learning and including faculty in plans to help students succeed in the new college environment.

Walter Bumphus, president and CEO of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), which hosted a webinar featuring the panel, set the context for the conversation, noting that most community colleges were making progress toward improving student success and equity when the pandemic hit. Now it’s uncertain how those areas will continue to advance, he said.

One thing that is clear in that effort is the importance of technology in teaching students. Although a growing number of colleges say they will try to reopen campuses this fall, the uncertainty is prompting nearly all higher education institutions to focus on access to technology and improving remote learning.

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