Daily Lumina News 020223

Lumina Foundation’s newly updated online educational attainment tracking tool, A Stronger Nation, shows that nearly 54 percent of adults now hold a post-high school degree, credential, or industry certification. It's a marked increase from 37.9 percent in 2008.
In this interview, Lumina's Courtney Brown talks about the rising numbers—and the need for changes in the way we look at education today.

Against the backdrop of headlines blaring news about declining community college enrollments, one bright spot is emerging: Community college students, faculty and administrators are broadly aligned in their enthusiasm for the digital transformation that has occurred at their institutions since the start of the pandemic.
Now, they are calling for more technology use in the future, including in face-to-face classes, according to a new report.

Colleges and universities across the country are facing challenges recruiting and retaining top talent in a pandemic-fueled employees’ market.
But Virginia State University this month introduced a new strategy to set it apart from other institutions: It’s offering to help faculty and staff members buy a house.

The effort to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion offices at public colleges is gaining momentum, with activists and conservative politicians saying the offices inhibit academic freedom and are discriminatory.
Advocates of diversity efforts are preparing for a long-term battle. Says Paulette Granberry Russell, president of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education: "If higher education is going to fulfill its mission to serve all students, DEI offices are essential.”

Teaching is about attention—getting students attention and keeping them engaged so they can develop new skills and abilities. But holding the attention of students has become more difficult since the pandemic, say many college instructors.
In this interview, professors offer insight on new approaches to connect with students.

Troy University must change its policies to better accommodate pregnant students under a deal it struck with the U.S. Department of Education this month, resolving an agency investigation into whether the Alabama public institution violated federal civil rights law.
Legal experts say the department’s agreement with Troy highlights the agency’s recent push to ensure pregnant students are protected under Title IX. Colleges will need to account for this stricter oversight, they warn.