As the challenges—enrollment, limited technology access, food and housing insecurities—persist from the COVID-19 pandemic, community colleges are seeking solutions.
The virtual Innovations Conference, hosted by the League for Innovation in the Community College this week, is providing a space for community college leaders to collaborate and problem solve strategies to promote student success.
“As we navigate this pandemic, getting an education is important now more than ever,” said Dr. Jean Goodnow, president of Delta College.
On the second day of the conference, discussions focused on food insecure students, developing programming for working students and addressing equity gaps within international education.
To address food inequities within the community and promote healthy eating, Northeast Texas Community College (NTCC) partnered with local organizations and developed the EatBetter4Less program.
At no cost, those enrolled at NTCC can sign up to receive monthly meal kits which include ingredients and instructions to prepare food at home. With over 300 meal kits distributed, the program also offers cooking demos.
“I think that it helps a lot to also demonstrate to the students how you cook it, what it looks like, what it smells like and even what it tastes like through our cooking demos,” said Carmen Shurtleff, instructor of sociology and social work at NTCC.
