SCHEV & HIGHER ED NEWS

Youngkin administration is asking college presidents to reverse their tuition hikes

"Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration is urging Virginia colleges that plan to raise the cost of tuition to reverse their decisions, the latest move by Youngkin to stymie increases to the cost of higher education.

Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera has called college presidents throughout the state, asking them to reconsider.

Of the state’s 15 public, four-year colleges, 10 plan to raise tuition between 3% and 4.7%: VCU, UVA, George Mason, James Madison, Mary Washington, Old Dominion, UVA-Wise, VMI, Radford and Longwood.

Four are keeping tuition flat but raising fees: Virginia Tech, William & Mary, Virginia State and Norfolk State. Fees pay for specific needs, such as transportation, technology or athletics and can’t be used to fund faculty.

One school, Christopher Newport, hasn’t settled on a price," reports the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Photo: Secretary of Education Aimee Rogstad Guidera spoke last month about state Department of Education’s report on Virginia’s public schools. Gov. Glenn Youngkin is seated at left. (ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH)

Russell Kavalhuna, hired to lead Virginia's community colleges, isn't taking the job after all

"Russell Kavalhuna, who was named the new chancellor of Virginia's 23 community colleges, is no longer expected to take the job, a surprising turn of events following a tumultuous hiring process and interference from Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

Douglas Garcia, vice chair of the board, wrote in an email to the community college presidents Monday night that Kavalhuna is negotiating an agreement to remain with Henry Ford College in Michigan. In his absence, the State Board for Community Colleges named Sharon Morrissey its interim chancellor.

'The board will move forward with our duty in selecting the next chancellor, one who will share the governor's and the board's strong passion for developing the talent that Virginia's businesses need to thrive and the types of credentials that allow Virginians to have better lives,' Garcia wrote in the email, which was obtained by the Richmond Times-Dispatch," reports Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Photo:Russell A. Kavalhuna, who leads Henry Ford College in Michigan, is a former federal prosecutor and airline captain. VCCS

George Mason University launches academy with Germanna

"George Mason University and Germanna Community College have entered into a new partnership that will deliver a streamlined pathway for degrees with a significant cost savings.

'(The partnership will) open higher education up to all students without burdening them with debt,' Germanna President Janet Gullickson told the crowd at an agreement signing ceremony on June 6.

The new Mason Academy at Germanna delivers a locally focused and streamlined pathway for degrees in business, cybersecurity and other programs, officials said.

The Academy features a financial aid process including significant cost savings and access to additional grant programs, as well as a dedicated advisor for each student through their college journey to ensure success with no loss of credits, Mason President Gregory Washington said," reports InsideNOVA.

Photo: Dr. Shashuna Gray and Kameron Williams at Germanna Community College.

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