Daily Lumina News 022321

Prestigious universities like Cornell never have a hard time attracting students. But this year, the admissions office in Ithaca, New York, is swimming in 17,000 more applications than it has ever received before, driven mostly by the school’s decision not to require standardized test scores during the coronavirus pandemic.
But while selective universities like Cornell and its fellow Ivy League schools have seen unprecedented interest after waiving test scores, smaller and less recognizable schools are dealing with the opposite issue: empty mailboxes.

Community colleges across the United States are experiencing significant enrollment declines as students face challenges with finances, family life, and virtual learning.
While it was no surprise that fewer freshmen enrolled at four-year and community colleges—delaying studies until campuses fully reopen—the pandemic is taking a much heavier toll on older adult students who frequently choose the community college route. Many lost jobs or have no time for their own schooling as they supervise their children’s online classes.

Celia Mantovani is a Brazilian psychiatrist who hasn't been able to work in her field since moving to Maine six years ago. She is one of hundreds of immigrants with the vital skills employers in the state desperately want and need.
But even highly skilled immigrants have been sidelined by inadequate English language training opportunities and a bewildering patchwork of education, certification, and licensing requirements that make restarting their careers an expensive, exhausting process.

As chief executive officer of an information technology company in Minneapolis, Jim Wolford was troubled by the lack of economic opportunity for people of color in Minnesota and by his company’s difficulty in finding well-qualified workers.
Wolford enlisted the services of a local vocational training and job placement company. Together, they created an intensive, 20-week IT training program for people who just needed an opportunity to thrive. Their idea proved to be a win-win for graduates of the program, Wolford's business, and the community. It also demonstrates how investing in the talent of people is key to success in a world of human work.