Amid pandemic, international student enrollment at U.S. universities fell 15% in the 2020-21 school year
Fewer than 1 million foreign students enrolled for either online or in-person classes at U.S. universities in the 2020-21 school year, comprising 4.6% of total enrollment at American higher educational institutions. That not only marks a 15% year-over-year decrease from the 2019-20 school year, but also marks the first time since 2014-15 that fewer than a million international students have enrolled at U.S. institutions.
Laura Silver – Pew Research Center
Mobile, AL to boost tourism funds to promote Historically Black Colleges and Universities events
Two relatively new organizations are slated to get about one quarter of the $1.35 million in American Rescue Plan Act money to promote Historically Black Colleges and Universities events in 2022.
The council’s vote, though, is likely only the beginning of an overall discussion on whether the city is spending enough to promote itself. According to a Visit Mobile analysis, the convention and visitor’s arm of the city is funded lower than almost all its Southeastern competitors including Montgomery, Huntsville, Gulfport/Biloxi, and Jackson, Mississippi.
John Sharp – AL.com
Bluefield State President: “West Virginia needs new model for higher education”
Capehart gave his thoughts on funding formulas and the governance structure for four-year colleges and universities and two-year community and technical colleges during a meeting Sunday of the Joint Standing Committee on Education.
“What we want to do is we want to provide a better, more personal academic opportunity to the market, and let the market decide,” Capehart said. “I do believe that if there is a need, the market will fill it. I think it’ll either be more efficient brick-and-mortar institutions, or it could be online.”
Steven Allen Adams – Parkersburg News & Sentinel
David Scott Unveils Legislation To Address STEM Gap For Historically Black Colleges And Universities
The legislation is called the Making Advances Kinetic, Education, Research and Skills (MAKERS) Act. The intent of the act would be to fund what are called “makerspaces.”
The press release from Rep. Scott’s office describes makerspaces as follows:
Makerspaces are workspaces where students can use tools and technology, such as 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines or other equipment that students might not otherwise have access to. In these locations, students can exercise their creativity while solving problems and learning new skills.
Larry Johnson – Cobb County Courier
Museum commemorating Saint Paul’s College draws attention of Smithsonian
In recent weeks, things have taken an even more astounding turn, as the museum has caught the attention of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, which is laying the groundwork for a relationship that aims to help not only the Lawrenceville museum but to hold it up as a model for other grassroots historical preservation initiatives.
“I just never in my wildest dreams felt the Smithsonian would ever set foot in Brunswick County,” said Conner, who still serves on the county’s tourism advisory committee. “I’m just excited.”
Representatives from the national museum’s Robert F. Smith Center for the Digitization and Curation of African American History visited Lawrenceville to have a look at what’s there. They will return the first week in December and begin the process of helping the Russell Museum identify and preserve the most important parts of the collection and assist in digitization of its materials.
