Daily Lumina News 092322

Today’s college students are much more than students. They are parents, caregivers, refugees, immigrants, activists, military veterans, and displaced workers.
An art installation by documentary photojournalist Rachel Bujalski at Northern Virginia Community Colleges shines a spotlight on today’s new "traditional" college students—and the challenges they must overcome to pursue higher education.

Right now, high school students are being bombarded with emails and brochures selling the virtues of colleges some have never heard of and universities that others dream of attending.
But the marketing blitz is far from even, according to new reports from the Institute for College Access & Success. Students who live or attend schools in wealthy communities may be receiving one set of materials, while those in low-resource areas receive another.

Stories about Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) can sometimes focus on deficits: the lack of funding based on discrimination, or the resulting infrastructure issues on their campuses.
That deficit framework can leave out just how life changing HBCUs can be, not just for the students who attend them but for the communities they reside in.

President Joe Biden's student loan forgiveness plan continues to be met with mixed reviews. Proponents say it will narrow the racial wealth gap. Others contend the plan doesn't do enough to address college affordability.
Justin Draeger, president and CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, weighs in on what Biden's debt relief means for borrowers, institutions, parents, and the higher ed community.

Community college is an affordable way for students to start an education, but complicated transfer policies often make it harder to complete a four-year degree. A new measure put before Congress this week aims to change that.
The goal of the Transparency for Transfer Students Act, which requires all colleges to post transfer requirements on their websites, is to help more students complete degrees.

A new survey explores actions students want colleges to take when it comes to finding and succeeding in internships. Students place the most value on stronger partnerships with companies to offer internships and with companies that develop pathways to hire former interns.
Students also say they value paid internships, guidance on networking, and virtual and in-person learning opportunities.