Community college nursing programs are vital to closing the healthcare workforce gap. Dr. Jennifer Fritzges, the chair of the Allied Health Department at Carroll Community College, explains how her college ensures its nursing program retains top-notch faculty and that nursing students are supported in and out of the classroom.

Community College Voice Podcast Season 10, Episode 7.

Dr. Kevin Walthers is the superintendent/president of Allan Hancock College in California. Using the model from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond's Survey of Community College Outcomes, Dr. Walthers shared the data publicly and illustrates how it tells a more complete story about his students.

In this episode, we talk about navigating challenges & creating opportunities with the chancellor of the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD), Dr. Alberto J. Román.

The Lowe's Foundation announced 12 new Gable Grants for community and technical colleges to help solve America's critical skilled trades worker shortage. The funding expands the foundation's nationwide network of Gable Grants recipients to 60 organizations, each delivering scalable pathways into high-demand trades careers. We talk to the director of the Lowe's Foundation, Betsy Conway.

Many states have established educational attainment goals to align a skilled workforce with industry needs, mainly focusing on adults with some college experience but no degree, who often face challenges such as debt despite progressing toward completion. The NC Reconnect project, initiated four years ago with a small cohort of five colleges, has expanded to 20 community colleges across North Carolina, engaging over 42,000 learners and enrolling more than 2,500, resulting in a combined $2.9M return on investment in additional tuition revenue for the first term. This project has provided valuable insights into effectively supporting and retaining adult learners, leading to transformative changes at Forsyth Tech and Durham Tech Community Colleges through enhanced professional development for staff and improved internal processes for connecting with adult learners. Ultimately, this initiative has equipped colleges with tools to serve their learners better while enhancing college culture and staff satisfaction.

Guests:

· Paula Dibley, Chief Officer of Student Success & Strategic Innovation at Forsyth Technical Community College

· Abraham Dones, Vice President and Chief Student Services Officer at Durham Technical Community College

In this episode, our guests talk about perimenopause and how more needs to be done to support community college employees with the challenges associated with it.

Approximately 50% of the population experiences perimenopause, and for many of these individuals—colleagues and leaders alike—this natural process brings physical and emotional symptoms that can disrupt workplace performance for years. A 2023 Korn Ferry survey of over 8,000 women found that 47% experienced symptoms affecting their work, with the majority feeling unsupported by their organizations around their perimenopausal needs. Symptoms like hormone fluctuations, hot flashes, and brain fog can hinder productivity and negatively impact career progression, absenteeism, and turnover, particularly among senior leadership. Unfortunately, many individuals are unaware of whom to approach about these issues, and few institutions have developed inclusive policies to address them.

Our guests are:

• Aliesha Crowe, vice president of academic affairs at Northwood Technical College
• Kristen Raney, president of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

The Inlet neighborhood in Atlantic City, N.J., has faced significant economic and resource-related challenges, prompting Atlantic Cape Community College to launch a transformative project focused on revitalization through collaborative partnerships. This podcast explores the college's strategy that includes housing development, economic revitalization, and workforce training.

Guests:

• Dr. Barbara Gaba, president at Atlantic Cape Community College
• Dr. Natalie Devonish, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management at Atlantic Cape Community College

This is our 100th episode! This episode was recorded live at the 105th AACC Annual in Nashville, TN.

Our guests are:

• Nicole Miller, associate dean of academic affairs and retention services at the Spring Hill Campus of Pasco-Hernando State College
• Dr. Jesse Pisors, president of Pasco-Hernando State College

Our guests talk about a recent initiative by Pasco-Hernando State College, which exemplifies best practices in fostering cultural change through effective listening, learning, and responsive action. The college leadership conducted a comprehensive "Listening Tour," engaging with students, faculty, and staff through small group sessions and an extensive online survey to gain deep insights into the institution's dynamics. Following thorough analysis and the creation of presentations, the findings were strategically communicated to both senior administrators and leaders involved in the college's strategic planning process. As a result, numerous specific actions have been implemented or are currently underway, leading to positive cultural shifts within the organization.

In this episode, we talk to Kathleen deLaski, the author of the new book Who Needs College Anymore? Imagining a Future Where Degrees Won't Matter. Kathleen deLaski is the founder and board chair of Education Lab Design, which works with colleges to better align their institutions with the world of work.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Clyne G. H. Namuo, president of Joliet Junior College (JJC). Under Dr. Namuo, the college has adopted a "Design Thinking" approach to enhance strategic initiatives and solve problems.