Press Release
Governance Leadership Institute for New Trustees
Registration Now Open
August 4, 2022 to August 6, 2022
Click for more information.
Community Facilities
Strengthening Rural Community Colleges
July 13, 2022
This session will provide an overview of USDA Rural Development resources that may be of interest to rural community colleges.
ACCT Launches Center for Policy & Practice
New Center Dedicated to Implementing Community College Policy Solutions
June 27, 2022
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) today announced the formalization of the new Center for Policy and Practice at ACCT.
Rural Health Grants
Strengthening Rural Community Colleges
June 15, 2022
The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) coordinates activities related to rural health care within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Part of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), FORHP has department-wide responsibility for analyzing the possible effects of policy on residents of rural communities. FORHP also administers grant programs designed to build health care capacity at both the local and State levels. This session will provide you with an overview of the community-based grant programs offered by FORHP, tips on how to get involved with FORHP-funded rural health programs in your community, and share information about other important rural health resources.
Webinar Details
Date: Wednesday, June 15, 2022
Time: 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. ET
The webinar is available to watch on-demand below with the accompanying presentation slides.
Speaker Information
Amber 
Berrian
Deputy Director of the Community-Based Division
HRSA's Federal Office of Rural Health Policy [FORHP]
Amber Berrian is the Deputy Director of the Community-Based Division within HRSA’s Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP), where she leads the development and implementation of CBDs competitive program portfolio and coordinates several high-priority strategic operations activities. Since joining FORHP, Amber has worked to develop program policies that support health care system redesign, capacity building and infrastructure development for rural health networks. Amber earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Neurobiology/Physiology from the University of Maryland and Master of Public Health degree in Epidemiology from The George Washington University.
Allison Hutchings
Deputy Director of the Rural Strategic Initiatives Division
HRSA's Federal Office of Rural Health Policy [FORHP]
Allison Hutchings is the Deputy Director of the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy’s Rural Strategic Initiatives Division. In this capacity, she helps oversee the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program, a $575 million initiative that provides community-based grants and technical assistance to rural communities addressing SUD and other behavioral health needs. Prior to working at HRSA, she held positions at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a bipartisan think tank in Washington, DC, the Department of Justice, and Save the Children-India. She holds an MPH from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and a B.A. from the College of William and Mary.
In partnership with:
Rural Peer Learning Network Opportunity
The Rural Peer Learning Network serves in conjunction with our monthly webinars and is an opportunity to learn directly from other rural community colleges. This is an opportunity for rural community colleges to learn about the process of applying for rural health grants (i.e., Health Profession Opportunity Grants) and potential tips from current/previous grant recipients.
Date: Wednesday, June 29, 2022
Time: 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. ET
Please review the details and register for the Rural Community College Peer Learning Network: Sharing Rural Health Grants Experiences discussion here.
Applying for USDOL Grants
Strengthening Rural Community Colleges
April 20, 2022
The Association of Community College Trustees in partnership with the Rural Community College Alliance held the Applying for USDOL Grants webinar on Wednesday, April 20 at 3:00-4:00 p.m. ET. The focus for this webinar was on tips for applying for federal grants of interest to rural community colleges at the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (ETA).
Topics that were covered during the webinar include:
- ETA Grants
- Tips for Applying
- Information about grants of interest to rural community colleges (e.g., SCC, Apprenticeship, youth grants with a community college focus)
- Utilizing a consortium-based approach
Webinar Details
Date: Wednesday, April 20, 2022
Time: 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. ET
The webinar is available to watch on-demand below with the accompanying presentation slides.
Speaker Information
Cheryl 
Martin
Program Manager, Community Colleges Competitive Grants
U.S. Department of Labor, ETA Division of Strategic Investments
Cheryl Martin is the Program Manager for Community College Competitive Grants, for the Division of Strategic Investments (DSI) at the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (ETA). She and her team currently manage the Strengthening Community Colleges (SCC) and Scaling Apprenticeship (SA) grant programs, and previously managed the $2 billion Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) grant program. Cheryl earned her MBA from the University of Maryland at College Park, and also has previous experience working in the non-profit education association sector and with poverty-related legislative and advocacy efforts.
Ayreen
Cadwallader
Public Administration and Strategic Communications Professional
U.S. Department of Labor, ETA Division of Strategic Investments
Ayreen Cadwallader is a public administration and strategic communications professional supporting employment and training grants at the Office of Workforce Investment, Employment and Training Administration. She is responsible for administering and managing several H-1B Skills Training grant programs. Prior to joining ETA in 2016, Ayreen worked in local government at Seattle City Light and the City of Long Beach. She received her master’s degree in public administration as a National Urban Fellow at Baruch College and an organizational communications degree from California State University, Long Beach.
Dawn
Murphy
Workforce Specialist
U.S. Department of Labor, ETA Division of Strategic Investments
Dawn is a Workforce Specialist for DOL-ETA’s Division of Strategic Investments. Dawn recently joined the DOL-ETA team after serving as a community college Associate Dean and after over 15 years’ experience in the administration of federal and state workforce development grants for community colleges. In her role at DOL-ETA she provides Technical Assistance and Coaching for Strengthening Community Colleges grantees.
Zodie
Makonnen, M.Ed.
Workfoce Analyst
U.S. Department of Labor, ETA Division of Strategic Investments
Zodie Makonnen, M.ED., is a Workforce Analyst in the Division of Strategic Investments (DSI) at the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (ETA). She is currently the program lead for the Scaling Apprenticeship (SA) grant program and grant programs, and has previously served as the program lead for the Strengthening Working Families Initiative (SWFI). Ms. Makonnen also manages numerous technical assistance contracts that support DSI grant programs. Prior to joining ETA, Ms. Makonnen worked at several consulting firms conducting program monitoring and evaluation, project management, and qualitative and quantitative research. Ms. Makonnen earned a Masters in International Education from Harvard University.
In partnership with:
With funding made possible by:
ACCT Statement on President Biden's FY2023 Budget Request
Contact Carrie Warick-Smith: cwsmith@acct.org
March 28, 2022
March 28, 2022 - Today, President Biden released his budget request for fiscal year 2023. This budget was released on the tails of the completion of the fiscal year 2022 funding bill, where the Department of Education received a 6% increase.
2022 National Legislative Summit Keynote Videos
February 10, 2022
Watch general session keynote speeches here. Video of policy focus sessions is not available.
U.S. Labor Secretary Martin J. Walsh Stresses Community College Role in Creating Career Pathways
Rep. Richard Neal (D-Mass.) Receives National Education Service Award; Bryce McKibben Wins Government Relations Award
February 9, 2022
U.S. Labor Secretary Martin J. Walsh told attendees of the 2022 Community College National Legislative Summit Tuesday that the community college sector will play a critical role in the Biden Administration’s efforts to expand career pathways, including new opportunities for women, minorities, and rural communities.
First Lady Jill Biden, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona Kick Off 2022 Community College National Legislative Summit
Both leaders pledge to continue the fight for community colleges.
February 8, 2022
First Lady Jill Biden kicked off the 2022 Community College National Legislative Summit Monday morning by emphatically stating that the Biden Administration will continue its ambitious efforts to support community colleges despite legislative setbacks.
