Daily Lumina News 092623

More colleges are facing pressure to stop considering race as a factor when awarding scholarships—adding fuel to a larger debate over what institutions can legally do to promote diversity and equity.
Activism against colleges’ identity-based scholarships and programs has grown over the past several years, but the latest wave of complaints stems from the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling against race-conscious admissions policies in June.

It's no secret that Wisconsin needs more healthcare workers. The state could fall short by more than 20,000 nurses by 2040 and is expected to see 32,000 open healthcare jobs statewide each year through 2030.
Statistics like these are causing Wisconsin educators, business leaders, and legislators to rethink traditional ways of building the workforce. One idea that's gaining traction: programs that offer free training and credentialing for those willing to commit to a career in healthcare.

Last year, Paloma Money needed to take a business math course to complete her associate degree in multidisciplinary studies at El Paso Community College. But with four jobs and five classes, it would take a miracle to find the time. She found it in "Tejano Flex Learning."
Tejano Flex Learning is EPCC’s brand of competency-based education, or CBE. The concept, which is gaining popularity around the country, allows students to fast-forward through course material based on their skills and knowledge of the subject.

Carrie Welton is a senior director for The Institute for College Access & Success and a former student-parent. Her lived experience informs her work to close equity gaps and drives her commitment to reduce barriers for the next generation of parenting students.
In this interview, Welton discusses what policymakers can do to better support student-parents and help them overcome barriers to accessing college and completing their degree.

President Joe Biden’s education chief says he’s open to using “whatever levers” are available—including federal money—to discourage colleges from giving admissions preference to the children of alumni and donors.
Education Secretary Miguel Cardona isn't elaborating on his options, but the federal government oversees vast sums of money that go to colleges in the form of student financial aid and research grants. The Education Department can also issue fines for civil rights violations, including racial discrimination.

College presidents and admission experts are expecting a significant increase in applications at Historically Black Colleges and Universities following this summer's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to ban race-based affirmative action policies.
At a time of heightened social divisions with race relations at the forefront, school administrators say the conservative majority court’s ruling opens a door for HBCUs to fill a gap for students and their families seeking an educational experience in which Black identity and culture are celebrated.