Community College and Business Partnerships Take Root

During last month's State of the Union address, President Barack Obama spoke of a partnership between Siemens AG and Central Piedmont Community College in North Carolina that helped an out-of-work mechanic enroll in training and earn a high-paying job at the company. The president applauded the effort and called on more two-year institutions and private businesses around the country to engage in similar job-creating partnerships. Read more...

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Calif. Colleges Turn to CASE for Professional Development

Amid ongoing state budget cuts to education, advancement professionals at community colleges in California face growing pressure to raise more private funds and increase alumni interest to support the operations of their institutions. Thanks to a new partnership between CASE and the Network of California Community College Foundations, advancement professionals at the state's 112 community colleges will receive even more professional development, services and support at this critical time in their history. Read more...

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Turning Community College Alumni into Donors

The advancement staff at the Community College of Baltimore County in Maryland-where alumni donations increased 89 percent in one year-has discovered practices that turn alumni into donors. Read more...

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Welcome to CASE

These community colleges have become CASE members since January 2012:

• Bainbridge College (Bainbridge, Ga.)
• Bevill State Community College (Sumiton, Ala.)
• Bladen Community College (Dublin, N.C.)

Sessions Needed for Advancement Conference

Join colleagues from throughout North America for the inaugural Conference for Community College Advancement, Oct. 3 - 5, 2012, in San Diego, Calif. The conference will bring together professionals from all areas of advancement at community colleges, including fundraising, alumni relations, marketing and communications, and government relations.

CASE is currently seeking session proposals in the following areas:

• Alumni relations
• Marketing and communications
• Public relations
• Fundraising
• Advancement services
• Government relations

Deadline to submit is March16, 2012.

CASE Launches IRF Data Book

CASE has announced the creation of a tool that will allow institutionally related foundation executives and professionals to compare data related to their foundation's structure, funding, staffing and operations with their peers. Read more...

Nomination Process Open for Circle of Excellence Awards

The Circle of Excellence Awards acknowledge superior accomplishments of CASE members who have lasting impact, demonstrate the highest level of professionalism and deliver exceptional results. Winning programs epitomize the profession's best practices, raise standards and contribute to a growing body of knowledge about advancement.

The 2012 nomination process is now open. Community colleges are encouraged to participate. The deadline for submissions is March 16, 2012.

Search Begins for 2012 Professors of the Year

Sponsored by CASE and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, the U.S. Professors of the Year awards recognize professors for their influence on teaching and commitment to undergraduate students. CASE is now accepting nominations for the program, which includes an award for outstanding community colleges professor, through April 16, 2012.

Last year's Outstanding Community Colleges Professor was Kathryn C. Wetzel, professor of mathematics and engineering at Amarillo College in Amarillo, Texas. To learn more about Professor Wetzel and read the text of her acceptance speech, visit the U.S. Professors of the Year website.

In the News

State Support Slumps Again
(Inside Higher Ed)

An annual study of state spending on higher education finds that state appropriations for colleges and students sunk by 7.6 percent in 2011-12, the largest decline in at least 50 years. Includes a state-by-state breakdown. Read more...

Community Colleges and the State of the Union
(Chronicle of Higher Education)

Community colleges are being asked to do more even as they face budget cuts and demographic changes that make their job more difficult. Read more...

Community Colleges Welcome Obama's Challenge
(USA Today)

President Obama wants to forge partnerships between community colleges and businesses. He said his goal is to train 2 million workers with skills that will lead them directly to a job. Read more...

President Seeks $8 Billion for Job-Training Partnerships
(Chronicle of Higher Education)

In his budget for 2013 fiscal year, President Obama asks Congress for a "Community College to Career Fund," which would provide money to community colleges and states to form partnerships with businesses to train 2 million workers in high-growth areas. Read more...

Please share your questions and comments with Paul Heaton via e-mail at heaton@case.org or +1 202 478-5570.