SECTOR NEWS
New Virginia Union study examines sense of belonging for first-year HBCU students
Using data from students in three “credibly equivalent” groups, the research reveals that HBCU students exposed to the short-term intervention through a 4-week summer bridge program reported higher belonging scores than similarly-situated summer school peers exposed to either (a) a placebo video or (b) no video at all. Results affirm that messages conveyed through the video intervention can “engender sense of belonging in college for [first-year] HBCU students by encouraging nonthreatening interpretations of adversity, feelings of isolation, and self-doubt; (re)framing them as common and transient; and promoting help-seeking via support services available on campus.” (Virginia Union University)
Former athlete alleges emotional abuse against Mississippi Valley State coaches
The Mississippi Valley State softball program is facing heavy scrutiny as allegations of abuse from former players continue to ring out.
Former softball pitcher Alyssa Montes and several of her former teammates accused assistant coach Brittany Tillery and head coach Lee Smith of verbally abusing and mistreating current and former players. (HBCU Gameday)
West Virginia Community College board rejects Bluefield State request for satellite campus in Wheeling
Following months of debate between officials with Bluefield State College, the City of Wheeling and local college leaders in Ohio County, the West Virginia Council for Community & Technical College Education rejected the request by Bluefield State College to offer three associate degrees at a satellite campus in the city.
The council (CTC) made the motion unanimously to reject any type of offering on Thursday morning. The coordinating board for West Virginia’s two-year higher education system must approve any new associate degree programs for it to begin. (WV Metro News)
Ole Miss, Rust College Partner for Dual-Degree Program
With a new dual-degree program, students can pursue mathematics at Rust College for three years and follow up with two years at the University of Mississippi School of Engineering.
Four tracks are included in this partnership: biomedical engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering and mechanical engineering. Successful students graduate with a degree in mathematics from Rust and an engineering degree from Ole Miss. (University of Mississippi)
INDUSTRY NEWS
Higher education industry is implementing new business models (ZDNet)
Warren stalls Biden’s higher education pick over student loan policies (Politico)
Higher education is on an unsustainable path (Daily News)
Charitable grant seeks to transform Eastern North Carolina through teachers (NC Policy Watch)
