Higher Education
e-Digest
Volume 4 / Issue 13
April 6, 2016
In This Issue:
FROM THE CENTER

Safe Place: Trauma-Sensitive Practices for Health Centers Serving Students

In honor of sexual assault awareness month, the National Center for Safe Supportive Learning Environments is offering a resource kit encompassing a broad range of material introducing and endorsing trauma-sensitive practices with an emphasis on sexual assault. The kit is designed specifically for health center staff who serve as primary care providers to students in higher education. To access the resource kit, click here.
FROM FEDERAL PARTNERS

Advancing College Opportunity for Low-Income Students

The U.S. Department of Education released a report highlighting successful efforts at institutions of higher education for ensuring that low-income students have access to tuition assistance programs and are completing their degrees. The report also identifies significant gaps between completion and enrollment rates for low-income students and overall completion rates, and calls postsecondary leaders to action to help low-income students on campus reach their educational goals and career aspirations. To access the report, click here.

Relationships Help First Generation Students Reach Higher

The U.S. Department of Education published a blog post focused on the experiences of first-generation students as they go through the college application process and begin to hear back from schools to which they applied. The post highlights the counseling efforts of Olympia High School  as a model for helping potential first- generation students to access college. To learn more, click here.

Students Share College Completion Journeys

As part of the ongoing "Student Voices" series at the U.S. Department of Education, students from a variety of socio-economic and racial backgrounds convened with Secretary John King and Under Secretary Ted Mitchell to discuss college completion at Minority-Serving Institutions. During the session, students spoke about their challenges navigating the financial aid process and the importance of finding a support network through college advising. To learn more, click here. 
NEW RESOURCES

Creating Seamless Pathways from High School to College

Jobs for the Future and the Greater Texas Foundation published the report Addressing the 61st Hour Challenge: Collaborating in El Paso to Create Seamless Pathways from High School to College. The report focuses on the successes of El Paso's early college high schools: small public schools that integrate college courses with high school requirements, starting in ninth grade. This program, with built-in academic and social supports, is among the first of its kind in the nation. Its successes can serve as a blueprint for the development of early college programs in other school districts across the U.S. To access the report, click here.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

In support of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape is providing awareness month prevention resources and campaign materials. The materials focus on the building blocks of prevention and strategies for engaging students and schools to take action in promoting safety, respect, and equality. To access the resources and campaign materials, click here.

Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Annual Report

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) published its 2015 annual report, describing its current initiatives in improving the quality of postsecondary education opportunities for Hispanic students. The report focuses on the expansion of HACU membership in the past year and highlights events that HACU and its member institutions hosted in 2015. To access the report, click here.

Do Black Students Benefit as Graduation Rates Increase?

The Education Trust released a report examining graduation rates over the past decade for African-American students at four-year public institutions.The analysis demonstrates that while a majority of these institutions improved graduation rates for black students, the gains have not been large or wide enough to close gaps between black and white students; in fact, in many cases, the gaps have widened. To access this report, click here.
IN THE NEWS

For more news clips, visit Stay Connected on the NCSSLE website!

After Shaky Past, Harvard's Grip on Hard Alcohol Could Tighten
The Harvard Crimson, March 30, 2016

Diversity in the Workplace Starts with Diversity in Higher Education
Forbes, March 30, 2016

Colleges Spending Millions to Deal with Sexual Misconduct Complaints
The New York Times, March 29, 2016

First Student-Run Food Pantry Opening on OSU's Campus
WSYX ABC 6, March 29, 2016

Former Foster Youth Defies Odds, Determined to Change the System
PBS Newshour, March 29, 2016

Should Schools Ask Students about Their Sexual Orientation to Protect LGBT Rights?
Washington Post, March 27, 2016

Professors' Group Says Efforts to Halt Sexual Harassment Have Stifled Speech
The New York Times, March 24, 2016

UC Steps Up Efforts to Address Student Mental Health
University of California News, March 24, 2016
RECENT RESEARCH

Cyberbullying among College Students with Disabilities
Kowalski, R. M. et al (April 2016) Computers in Human Behavior

Investigating Metacognition, Cognition, and Behavioral Deficits of College Students with Acute Traumatic Brain Injuries
Martinez, S. & Davalos, D. (March 2016) Journal of American College Health

Johnson, M. L. et al (March 2016) The Journal of Continuing Higher Education

Karp, M. M. et al (March 2016) Community College Journal of Research and Practice

Aston, E. R. et al (March 2016) Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs

Cavazos-Rehg, P. A. et al (March 2016) Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental 
Research

Ravalin, T. & Tevis, T. (March 2016) Community College Journal of Research and Practice

Nguyen, P. C. et al (March 2016) Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs 
UPCOMING WEBINARS AND CONFERENCES
  
Webinars 

Innovative Educators: Webinar Series
April-May 2016

The League for Innovation in the Community College is hosting a series of webinars on student engagement and student affairs. Webinar topics include student mentoring, Title IX guidance, student retention, and substance abuse prevention. To learn more, click here.

Six Ways to Think about Risk and Student Success
Thursday, April 7, 2016, 2-3 PM ET

Skyfactor is sponsoring a learning event on mental models that are commonly used by institutions of higher education to identify students at risk of dropping out. The webinar will also present strategies for supporting at-risk students to complete their postsecondary education. During the webinar, an expert researcher in student success and retention will explore different models and discuss their strengths and weaknesses, offering tips on how institutions can identify which mental model is the right fit for their at-risk student population. To learn more and register, click here.

Young, Gifted, & @Risk Webinar Series
Wednesday, April 6, 2016 Noon-1:30 PM ET
Tuesday, April 12, 2016, Noon-1:30 PM ET
Wednesday, April 13, 2016, Noon-1:30 PM ET

The Steve Fund is sponsoring a three-installment webinar series focused on addressing the mental health of college students of color. The series will discuss topics including: the unique pressures and challenges faced by students of color as they transition into adulthood; promising strategies for promoting positive mental health among students of color; and how culture, mindset, and identify affect mental health. To learn more, click here.

Sexual Assault: Courageous Conversations and Bystander Intervention
Tuesday, April 19, 2016, 2-3 PM ET

The National Center for Campus Public Safety is hosting a webinar featuring discussions on methods for promoting effective bystander interventions by challenging societal attitudes about sexual assault. The webinar will also discuss how alcohol is often used by offenders as both a weapon against victims and as a shield to excuse their sexual misconduct. To learn more, click here. To register, click here.

Conferences

Civic Learning & Democratic Engagement
June 2-4, 2016, Indianapolis, IN

NASPA: Student Affairs in Administrators in Higher Education is hosting a conference on civic learning and engagement work in institutions of higher education. The conference will foster academic and student affairs partnerships to help ensure that students graduate from postsecondary institutions and are prepared to engage as citizens in their communities. The conference will involve plenary sessions, networking opportunities, and a food donation drive. To learn more, click here. To register, click here.

Closing the Achievement Gap: Student Success in Higher Education
June 9-11, 2016, College Park, MD

NASPA is organizing a conference on effective approaches to supporting students who struggle to complete their degrees. The conference will primarily focus on the role of student affairs practitioners in developing programs and initiatives for students from underrepresented populations, including those who are: low-income; first-generation students; DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals); homeless or food insecure; or who have work and family obligations. To learn more, click here. To register, click here. 

NASPA Assessment and Persistence Conference
June 16-18, 2016, Portland, Oregon

NASPA is sponsoring an event designed to promote student learning and success by strengthening assessment, improving educational quality, and developing intentional persistence programming. The event will provide student affairs practitioners with plenary sessions and a forum for advancing their skills by discussing assessment and persistence with other practitioners and policy-makers. To learn more, click here. To register, click here.

Northeast Colleges and Universities Security Association's 63rd Annual Conference
June19- 22, 2016, Hyannis, MA

The Northeast Colleges and Universities Security Association (NECUSA) is hosting a conference to convene school safety advocates and practitioners for a series of professional development workshops, an award ceremony for NECUSA members, and networking events. Plenary sessions will focus primarily on emergency readiness and management on postsecondary education campuses. To learn more, click here. To access, click here. 

National Association for College Admission Counseling 
September 22-24, 2016, Columbus, OH

The National Association for College Admission Counseling is organizing its annual networking event aimed at building relationships among college admission counseling professionals, higher education thought leaders, national policymakers, and others who support students and families in the transition from high school to college. To learn more and register, click here. 

ATIXA/SCOPE Joint National Conference
October 5-8, 2016, Philadelphia, PA

The Association of Title IX Administrators and the School and College Organization for Prevention Educators are sponsoring a joint national conference in recognition of the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization and the implementation of the Campus SaVE Act enforcement. The event will feature keynote speakers, round table discussions, and training workshops. To learn more, click here. To register, click here.

Creating the Healthiest Nation, Ensuring the Right to Health
October 29-November 2, 2016, Denver, CO

The American Public Health Association is organizing its annual conference, bringing together students and professionals in the health fields to network, engage in roundtable discussions and poster sessions, and partake in the continuing education credits opportunities offered. To learn more, click here. 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 2016 Communities Talk Higher Education Initiative
This is an ongoing event. See event details below. For more information on this event, contact Tom Colthurst.

Dominican College Town Hall Meeting
Monday, October 3, 2016, Noon-3 PM ET, Orangeburg, NY
https://www.stopalcoholabuse.gov/townhallmeetings/findameeting/eventdetails.aspx?thmID=6541

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About NCSSLE's Higher Education e-Digest

The National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments Higher Education e-Digest addresses campus and community engagement, health, safety, and security. Regular contents include news from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and other federal partner agencies and organizations, salient research summaries, examples of effective field practices, announcements submitted by IHEs and other subscribers, and relevant upcoming events. The Higher Education e-Digest also highlights NCSSLE resources and the availability of ongoing services, including technical assistance, products, and tools.

For More Information 
Visit http://safesupportivelearning.ed.gov

Engagement | Safety | Environment
The Center is funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Safe and Healthy Students within the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. It is operated by the American Institutes for Research in collaboration with Child Trends; Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning; EMT Associates; the Silver Gate Group; and Vision Training Associates.

The contents of NCSSLE's Higher Education e-Digest is developed and disseminated under a contract from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Safe and Healthy Students to the American Institutes for Research (AIR), Contract Number ED-ESE-12-O-0035. The contents of this e-Digest do not necessarily represent the policy or views of the U.S. Department of Education, nor do they imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education.
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