February 4, 2025

NATIONAL NEWS

Fall Enrollments Better than Initially Expected

A new final report on fall enrollments, released by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, shows that community colleges saw a bigger bump in Fall 2024 enrollment than initially estimated. The center announced that a methodological error impacted all the center's preliminary reports dating back to 2020. Overall, for Fall 2024, undergraduate enrollments increased by 4.7%, while enrollments at public two-year colleges grew 5.8%.

Leaving Medicaid Money on the Table

A new study shows estimates that community colleges are leaving more than $115 million in Medicaid funding on the table annually that could be used to support student health and basic needs. Medical clinics and providers -- including those run, employed, or contracted by community colleges -- can receive Medicaid reimbursements for services such as counseling, first aid, immunizations, health assessments, and more.

Why Generation Z Gives These Professors Hope

Today's students can be challenging to teach, but they can also be inspiring...if you know what makes them tick. Gen Z students want to know why they need to learn something; they want release from the pressure to be perfect; they want authentic professors; and they need balance between work and school.

STATE NEWS

State of the State 2025: Two Years after LEARNS, Focus is on Higher Ed

Governor Sanders; 2023 LEARNS Act changed K-12 education. Now, her focus is on higher education. The ACCESS plan aims to make higher education more workforce centered. In this article, hear perspectives from four-year universities, two-year colleges (Andrea Henderson, ACC Executive Director), and high schools.

Bringing Multiple Measures Assessment to Scale in Arkansas: Perspectives from State Education Leaders

A growing number of states and colleges are using multiple measures assessment to determine whether students are ready for college-level courses or require remediation. In this blog, three state leaders (including Dr. Ricky Tompkins, former Director of the ACC Center for Student Success, and current Vice President of Technical Education and Workforce Development at North Arkansas College) discuss Arkansas' adoption and scaling of multiple measures assessment.

SPOTLIGHT

Arkansas State University-Beebe CFO Roger Moore Retires

Roger Moore, ASU-Beebe's Chief Financial Officer and Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, retired on January 15, 2025, after 26 years of service. Congratulations, Roger. You will be missed.

Ozarka Appoints Marcus Orf Vice President of Advancement and Workforce Development

Marcus Orf is the new Vice President of Advancement and Workforce Development at Ozarka College. Prior to this new leadership role, Orf served as the Technical Center director. Orf also has experience in workforce development and played a key role in expanding Ozarka’s technical programs, strengthening industry partnerships, and increasing student access to career-focused education. Congratulations, Marcus!

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