Daily Lumina News 110920

Joseph R. Biden Jr. crossed the 270 electoral-vote threshold on Saturday and, barring a successful legal challenge, he will be sworn in January 20 as the 46th president of the United States.
For higher education, it is welcome news. Biden has long signaled his support for the sector. His extensive Plan for Education Beyond High School promises to “strengthen college as a reliable pathway to the middle class.” Before expanding Americans’ access to higher ed, however, Biden must first rescue a system beset by pandemic-induced crises that threaten to consume it.

Resilience. That word has been used a lot to describe community college students struggling financially due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For instance, even with the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) providing thousands of laptops for students on the other side of the digital divide, challenges persist. Many students say they can’t afford to pay their rent, mortgage, or utility bills. Still, they are determined to stay the course.

"Get There Florida" is a new workforce education initiative that aims to raise awareness of short-term but high-value career and technical education programs at the state's 28 colleges and 48 technical colleges. Florida is using $35 million in federal CARES Act funds to help colleges create or expand their program.
The campaign highlights 17 career pathways offered through technical certifications, including energy, health science, hospitality, and public safety.

Professors are still struggling to adapt to the new realities of teaching during a pandemic. And even experts who focus on improving instruction are having to get creative to find approaches that work.
Bonni Stachowiak, dean of teaching and learning at Vanguard University, weighs in on the challenges of teaching amid COVID-19, grading policies, and unique ways to engage students during today's new normal.

In the middle of the country’s current economic and health crisis, there’s a disturbing trend in higher education: Fewer high school seniors are filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is typically the first step in receiving federal and state grants, federal loans, and institutional aid for college.
There are several reasons for the drop. This includes housing and food insecurity and lack of access to technological infrastructure that would help students get into the classroom.

Joe Biden’s apparent election as president could pave the way for a dramatic shift in higher education policies, possibly making tuition free for many seeking a college education and wiping away the debt of millions of people paying back student loans.
Biden’s victory also is significant in its symbolism for higher education. Kamala Harris will be the nation’s first African American and Asian American vice president and, as a Howard University alumna, the first graduate of a historically Black university in the White House. And the next first lady, Jill Biden, is a community college instructor.