How to support our students
“One of the biggest challenges facing postsecondary CTE students is the school-life balance. Developing creative strategies for support systems is important,” wrote Taija R. Jackson, vice president of student affairs at UBTech and a current participant in the NextLevel Postsecondary CTE Leadership Program. “Institutions can address these challenges with supports that include creating on-campus support centers that provide academic and emotional support, basic needs items such as food, and connection to other community resources like health care, housing, or utility and financial assistance. Supports could also include addressing the rapid technological advancements of the last decade and the needs this creates for some students.”
Each year, the fellows talk to Techniques with a common goal: to support our students.
“Our adult students come to us with jobs, family, and other obligations that they must figure out how to balance with becoming a student,” said Pam Gibson, dean of engineering and applied sciences at Fayetteville Technical Community College. “As educators, we must offer more flexible scheduling options, competency-based education, and credit for prior learning to meet the needs of our diverse adult learners.”
The NextLevel fellowship program provides professional and career growth opportunities to the next generation of postsecondary CTE leaders.
Alumni have described it as engaging, individualized, and memorable. The NextLevel Postsecondary CTE Leadership Program is made possible through the generous support of the ECMC Foundation. ECMC Foundation is a Los Angeles-based, nationally-focused foundation. Their mission is to inspire and to facilitate improvements that affect educational outcomes — especially among underserved populations — through evidence-based innovation.
“Thank you, NextLevel Postsecondary CTE Leadership Program. Thank you as well to ACTE, Techniques (Hi, Lia!), staff, my mentor Dr. Christy Ponce, and ECMC Foundation,” wrote Speranta Klees, postsecondary partnership manager at West-MEC. “I am learning so much this year, thanks to all of you.”
Support Our Students_ Techniques_ October 2023Engage with ACTE.
This program offers a unique opportunity for postsecondary CTE educators. Grow in your career! And engage with ACTE too. Fellows work alongside a cohort of peer professionals and an experienced mentor. They learn to communicate, collaborate, network, problem solve, and use time and resources effectively. Learn more.
Virginia Tech research faculty member Jim Egenrieder shared another way to get involved. “A newly formed postsecondary committee within the Work-based Learning Division is welcoming new members. Join us to explore and address challenges related to WBL in postsecondary CTE.”
