The Independent Thinker
Private Colleges Serving the Public... One student at a Time
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Merry Christmas from AAICU! | |
House Elects New Legislative Leadership | |
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Republican caucuses in the House and Senate met in November to select their leadership for the next legislative term. Representative Nathaniel Ledbetter (pictured), R-Rainsville, was chosen by the caucus to be the next Speaker of the House. Ledbetter, who has been serving as Majority Leader since 2017, said he was committed to being a fair, effective Speaker.
“If elected Speaker, I will work hard to preside fairly and ensure that all voices have an opportunity to be heard in the committee rooms and chamber of the Alabama House,” Ledbetter said in a news release following the vote.
Rep. Chris Pringle, R-Mobile, earned the Republican nomination for Speaker Pro Tem, the second-highest position within the body and one that is tasked with presiding over the House when the Speaker is unavailable. Also elected were Rep. Wes Kitchens, R-Arab, as Caucus Vice Chair and State Rep. Debbie Wood, R -Valley, as Caucus Secretary / Treasurer.
The Senate will see no change in leadership, as senators voted unanimously to reelect Sen. Greg Reed, R-Jasper, as President Pro Tem and Sen. Clay Scofield, R-Guntersville, as Majority Leader. The official floor votes for Speaker and President Pro Tem will occur after the new year. “As I pledged when first elected to this post, my goal is to continue leading the body in a collaborative and efficient manner – making sure all voices are heard to produce the best outcomes for the people of Alabama,” Reed said. The regular legislative session is set to begin March 7, 2023.
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Faulkner University Medical Program Aims to Reduce Health Care Worker Shortage | |
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More than 30 students will become physicians’ assistants at a medical facility from Faulkner University. Faulkner started its first physician’s assistant program in 2020, with many students completing the program this fall. The university is hopeful the program will help address the ongoing issues in the healthcare industry.
Among the issues Alabama faces in its healthcare industry, Faulkner University President Mitch Henry pointed out what he thinks is the most critical one. “We’ve been through a pandemic,” Henry said. "There’s a shortage of health care workers in this state.”
Both Henry and State Health Officer Scott Harris are hopeful that the university’s program can help address a dire need for workers in the state and the nation.
“It will help bring in people into the workforce,” Harris said. “Some of them will stay and work in Alabama, perhaps not all of them, but we’re very hopeful that they’ll help address many of those workforce shortages that we have.”
Click here for more information on the program, including application information.
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Talladega College Officially Installs Dr. Gregory J. Vincent as Next President | |
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Amidst great ceremony and pageantry, and before a crowd of students, faculty, staff, alumni and well-wishers, Dr. Gregory J. Vincent was officially installed as president of Talladega College last month. Vincent is an award-winning educator, executive, acclaimed civil rights attorney, and community leader who will serve as the 21st President of Talladega College.
Click here to read "Vincent's Vision" for Talladega College.
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Spring Hill College Shapes History With Presidential Announcement | |
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Spring Hill College has selected Mary H. Van Brunt, PhD, as its 39th President. As the College prepares to celebrate its 200-year legacy, she will make history as the first woman to serve in the top leadership role.Van Brunt brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in Catholic higher education. She has served as Provost, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and founding Academic Dean. Her strengths are in the areas of strategic planning, new program development and assessment, fundraising, and team building. She also spent twelve years in the banking, securities, and pharmaceutical industries.
“With Dr. Joe Lee’s anticipated retirement this winter, Spring Hill undertook an extensive, national presidential search for the most qualified leader to fulfill and sustain its Jesuit Catholic mission,” said Jack McKinney, Chairman of Spring Hill College Board of Trustees. “After carefully vetting more than three dozen pre-screened candidates, we are delighted that Dr. Van Brunt has graciously accepted the offer to become our next President. We are grateful to Dr. Lee for his vision and his leadership,” he continued. He led us through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, helped the College develop new and award-winning academic majors, and strengthened community partnerships with the military, local businesses, and schools.”
Van Brunt served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Gwynedd Mercy University in Gwynedd Read more here.
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Tuskegee University, Auburn University Sign Agreement to Create Umbrella Partnership | |
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Tuskegee University and Auburn University announced a Memorandum of Understanding, or MOU, to expand partnerships between the universities and collaborate on community outreach at a special signing ceremony on Monday afternoon.The MOU is a commitment to blend resources and intellectual capacity to address racial and health disparities in communities across the state of Alabama. Through faculty research and outreach collaborations, both universities will work to address lack of health care access and other social and health inequities in the local areas.
“The impact of this partnership will benefit the students of both schools and the surrounding communities where we are based,” said Tuskegee Provost S. Keith Hargrove. “By blending our resources, we will be able to have a broader reach in developing state-of-the-art academic programs and research and development opportunities, while deepening our community engagement and outreach.”
The collaboration includes a 10-member committee to review and recommend proposals to the university presidents for prioritization in seeking state and federal support. The collaboration team will focus on academic programs, research and development, outreach and community engagement. Read more here.
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Did You Know? 64% of Higher Education Organizations Affected by Ransomeware | |
Source: US Dept. of Education, NCES, NAICU | |
AAICU's network of providers offers goods and services to the independent higher education community. Click here for more information on business partners. |  | |
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Vice President of Strategic Partnerships
emily@thevirtualcaregroup.com
thevirtualcaregroup.com
860.391.5611
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