Implementing A 21st-Century Student Success Agenda Is Focus Of 94th Annual AACC Convention

WASHINGTON, March 31, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 2,000 community college presidents and other senior leaders will attend the 94th Annual Convention of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) being held April 5–8 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. The 2014 theme is "Great Expectations: Implementing a 21st-Century Student Success Agenda."

This year's convention marks the release of the highly-anticipated 21st-Century Implementation Guide, a follow-up to 2012's report from the 21st-Century Commission on the Future of Community Colleges. The guide includes examples and strategies community colleges can use to implement the seven recommendations outlined in the report. A special spotlight session on Sunday, April 6 at 8:30 a.m. will provide colleges with future activities planned to sustain this transformational work, and will preview the "next big things" in community colleges.

Prior to that, Jim Collins, author of "Good to Great," will address convention attendees at the opening session on Saturday, April 5 at 4:00 p.m. He has authored or coauthored six books that have sold in total more than 10 million copies worldwide.

Amy Walter, national editor of The Cook Political Report, will speak on Sunday, April 6 at the Hail & Farewell Luncheon, beginning at 11:30 a.m., which honors new and retiring community college CEOs. As national editor, Walter provides analysis of the issues, trends and events that shape the political environment.

Vice President Joe Biden will deliver remarks at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 7. He will be joined by Dr. Jill Biden, a community college professor and a champion of community colleges and their role in creating the best, most-educated workforce in the world. 

Closing out the AACC Convention is Gen. Colin Powell, USA (Ret.), former secretary of state. Powell served as the first African-American chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was appointed secretary of state by President George W. Bush—becoming, at that time, the most powerful African-American ever to hold office.

Powell will speak at the closing brunch on Tuesday, April 8. Prior to his speech, AACC will honor six outstanding community college alumni. The honorees are Dr. Toshiko Abe, parlimentary vice minister for foreign affairs in Japan, who attended Gadsden State Community College (Ala.); Geno Auriemma, head coach of women's basketball at the University of Connecticut and alumnus of Montgomery County Community College (Penn.); Doug Blevins, coach at Emory & Henry College, and founder of Doug Blevins Kicking & Punting who attended Virginia Highlands Community College (Va.); John Dau, founder and CEO of the John Dau Foundation and Lost Boy of Sudan, and alumnus of Onondaga

Community College (N.Y.); Dr. Elias Provencio-Vasquez, dean of the School of Nursing at University of Texas at El Paso and alumnus of GateWay Community College (Ariz.); and Joseph Searles III, president of Joseph Searles & Company, Inc., and alumnus of Pratt Community College (Kan.).

FEATURED EVENTS—SUGGESTED SELECTION OF EVENTS FOR NEWS COVERAGE
(All activities take place in the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel at 2660 Woodley Road NW, Washington, D.C.)

Saturday, April 5
4:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m.—AACC 94th Annual Convention Opening Session with Jim Collins, business thinker, lecturer, and author of "Good to Great"

Sunday, April 6
8:30 a.m.–10:00 a.m.—21st-Century Implementation Launch: Empowering Community Colleges to Build the Nation's Future

10:15 a.m.–11:00 a.m.—Virtual Career Network (VCN) and Sustainability Education and Economic Development (SEED) information session.

11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.—Hail & Farewell Luncheon. Keynote speaker: Amy Walter, national editor of The Cook Political Report.

Monday, April 7
8:30 a.m.–9:45 a.m.—Higher Education Act Reauthorization:  Will Changes Cure What "Ails" Colleges Today?

10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.—Keynote address by Vice President Joe Biden

6:30 p.m.–9:15 p.m.—Awards of Excellence Gala, recognizing 24 community colleges in six categories. Winners will be announced in each category at this black-tie dinner.

Tuesday, April 8
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.—AACC Outstanding Alumni Brunch honors six community college alumni. Keynote speaker: Gen. Colin Powell, USA (Ret.)

As the voice of the nation's community colleges, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), delivers educational and economic opportunity for 13 million diverse students in search of the American Dream. Uniquely dedicated to access and success for all students, AACC's nearly 1,200 member colleges provide an on-ramp to degree attainment, skilled careers and family-supporting wages. Located in Washington, D.C., AACC advocates for these not-for-profit, public-serving institutions to ensure they have the resources and support they need to deliver on the mission of increasing economic mobility for all. 

SOURCE American Association of Community Colleges