Daily Lumina News 062822

Placing a student struggling with mental health on medical leave—a policy found on many college campuses today—does not necessarily facilitate recovery, experts contend.
In fact, some worry that the policies—which vary widely from campus to campus—may have the opposite of their intended effect: permitting a college’s most vulnerable students to fall through the cracks.

The pandemic has had a crippling effect on communities of color and low-income and rural communities, say education and policy leaders. And its impact won’t simply vanish as mask mandates do.
But Federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund dollars are creating opportunities for colleges to not only help students throughout the pandemic, but also to innovate and develop long-term solutions.

While it did not provide a pathway to citizenship, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program enabled tens of thousands of Dreamers the opportunity to apply for in-state college tuition and get jobs that made use of their skills and abilities.
As DACA marks its 10-year anniversary this month, several Dreamers offer their stories and hopes for the future—and what makes them American.

Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders are members of more than 20 ethnic groups indigenous to islands in the Pacific. More than half of those who live in the United States never attended college.
The University of Hawai‘i aims to change that statistic with new efforts to increase the share of Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and Filipinos earning college credentials in the state.

Like other adult learners, veteran students are more likely to have responsibilities outside of college.
Student veterans also face challenges navigating financial aid, veteran education benefits, and transitioning from the military to the classroom. North Carolina's community colleges are stepping up with specific supports and resources to help them succeed.

David Delaplane pondered a crucial question in his tiny Glenwood Springs cabin. How could the local chamber of commerce that he managed improve education in the area? His answer was to start a college.
Delaplane’s idea lives on as Colorado Mountain College—and it has shaped the lives of more 25,000 graduates since its founding in 1965. In this interview, Delaplane reflects on getting students in rural mountain areas greater access to college.