The University of Texas at San Antonio's Institute for Economic Development has partnered with Retail Strategies LLC to host the Texas Retail Academy. The academy will educate city leaders on retail and business recruitment, real estate and small business support. The program is made possible by a grant through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which fully funded six communities' participation. More here.
New Central Texas Medical School slated for 2023
NEWS PROVIDED BY
Temple Economic Development Corporation; Temple Health & Bioscience District
Nov 23, 2020, 11:40 ET
TEMPLE, Texas, Nov. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Baylor Scott & White Health, the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, announced plans to partner with Baylor College of Medicine to open a medical school campus in Temple, Texas.
The new campus, which is slated to open in fall 2023 with an inaugural class of 40 medical students, is part of Baylor Scott & White and Baylor College of Medicine's commitment to expand the pipeline of physicians and medical professionals in Central Texas. Beginning in 2023, the campus will increase by 40 students per year, welcoming 160 students over four years.
"This is a great opportunity to expand Baylor College of Medicine's outstanding medical education programs to a regional medical school campus," said Dr. Paul Klotman, president, CEO and executive dean of Baylor College of Medicine. "We are looking forward to being in Temple."
This new source of medical talent will serve as an asset for Temple Economic Development Corporation (Temple EDC) in its business recruitment efforts to the Temple region, while the economic development organization's talent attracting marketing campaign, Meet Temple, will support the recruitment of students and healthcare professionals to the region.
Students will receive training from Baylor College of Medicine faculty members in the state-of-the-art facilities at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Temple, housed on the Baylor Scott & White Health campus in Temple.
Baylor School & White Medical Center – Temple will join a number of institutions that fuel Temple's medical education cluster, including Texas A&M University-Central Texas, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, and Temple College's Texas Bioscience Institute. Already, about a fourth of Temple's jobs are in healthcare.
Temple Health and Bioscience District (THBD), which provides early-stage biotech companies with mentoring, funding, and access to office, lab and conference space, is another key partner in the effort.
"Our mission is to grow Temple's biotechnology corridor by nurturing early-stage companies," said Thomas Baird, Chairman of THBD. "A skilled workforce is paramount to their success, so the addition of a new state-of-the-art medical school campus to our life sciences ecosystem could not be more welcome. In addition, we look forward to supporting the growth of companies formed out of this new research partnership."
Among Temple's other health and life sciences institutions are McLane Children's Hospital, the only children's hospital between Dallas and Austin; and the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the largest VA medical consortium in Texas and fourth largest in the United States.
About Temple Economic Development Corporation
The Temple Economic Development Corporation (Temple EDC) is a nonprofit organization that serves as the designated economic development entity for the City of Temple, Texas. Temple EDC strengthens relationships, builds partnerships, and provides solutions that cause entities to choose Temple. To learn more about doing business in Temple, visit TempleEDC.com.
About Temple Health & Bioscience District
The Temple Health & Bioscience District (THBD) was created as a result of legislation passed by the State of Texas in 2003. The first such district created in Texas, THBD is devoted to the development and creation of health, bioscience, biotechnology and life sciences opportunities in Temple, Texas. Temple is located halfway between San Antonio and Dallas on Interstate Highway 35 and is an emerging hub for medicine, medical research and technology. Visit www.templebioscience.com.
SOURCE Temple Economic Development Corporation; Temple Health & Bioscience District
College Board AP Exams and IB Exams
Last week, many students were not successful in submitting their at-home, online AP Exams.
Consequently, College Board is addressing the issue with an alternative submission method - BUT ONLY FOR THOSE EXAMS THE WEEK OF THE 18th. See the Washington Post article
For IB Exams, all have been cancelled, and students will receive credit based on the following:
The IB has put into place the following actions:
The DP and CP examinations scheduled between 30 April and 22 May will no longer be held.
The student will be awarded either the Diploma, Career-related Programme certificate or a course certificate which reflects their standard of work. The achievement will be based around the students’ coursework and the established assessment expertise, rigor and quality control already built into the programmes.
For more on IB - see Covid 19 updates as of May 15th
Lots of news coming out of California today - college entrance exams and Fall 2020 Classes
Leading the News
University Of California President Recommends Multiyear Suspension Of SAT, ACT Requirements
The Los Angeles (CA) Times (5/11, Watanabe) reports University of California President Janet Napolitano on Monday recommended a “complex and unusual five-year plan” that would make the SAT and ACT tests “optional for two years and eliminate testing requirements for California students in Years 3 and 4.” Starting in Year 5, “UC would move toward a standardized assessment developed specifically for the 10-campus system.” According to the Times, “Napolitano’s decision could tip the scales against the tests among Board of Regents members, who are scheduled to vote on the controversial issue next week.”
The AP (5/11, News) reports if UC is unable to develop a new test for fall 2025 applicants, “Napolitano recommends eliminating its standardized testing requirement for admissions altogether.” If the test is available, “it would be made available to students from out-of-state schools. International students could submit either the new test or scores from the SAT and ACT.”
The Washington Post (5/11, Anderson) reports many public and private colleges in recent weeks “have joined a movement to halt or end testing requirements. Some were spurred by the education crisis created by the novel coronavirus pandemic. Others said test scores were not as useful as grades and transcripts in rating applicants.”
EdSource (5/11) reports current high school juniors applying to UC schools for fall 2021 entrance “already are excused from taking those exams” due to that requirement “was suspended last month after high school classes switched statewide to online due to the coronavirus emergency and testing dates were canceled.”
Also providing coverage are the San Francisco (CA) Chronicle (5/11, Bauman) and Business Insider (5/11, Davis).
——————————————————————————————————————
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITIES - FALL 2020 Instruction
By Nina Agrawal Staff Writer (LA Times)
May 12, 2020
12:01 PM
The 23-campus California State University system plans to all but cancel in-person classes in the fall and instead will offer instruction primarily online, Chancellor Timothy White announced Tuesday.
The vast majority of classes across the Cal State system will be taught online, White said, with some limited exceptions that allow for in-person activity. The decision comes as schools throughout the country grapple with how long to keep campuses closed amid the coronavirus crisis.
“Our university when open without restrictions and fully in person… is a place where over 500,000 people come together in close and vibrant proximity,” White said at a meeting of Cal State’s Board of Trustees. “That approach sadly just isn’t in the cards now.”
White’s announcement came the same day that infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci, a key member of the White House coronavirus task force, told a Senate panel it would be “a bridge too far” to think treatments or vaccines could be available in time to facilitate students’ reentry into schools this fall.
It also follows an earlier move by Cal State Fullerton, which in late April became one of the first universities in the nation to announce it was planning for remote instruction this fall.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) strikes a healthy balance when supporting high school students
Recently, one of my high school students accepted his offer to attend WPI. Here’s how the parent described the defining moment -
“ I think he was conscious WPI would offer him a stronger CS program since the beginning but was nervous about the project based learning system. The last few days, he watched videos and participated in live chats with other admitted students and the university. It helped him a lot and gave him a better understanding of the way he will learn. The "career" chat with WPI was the final one and the decisive one.”
I was so impressed with the way in which WPI made themselves available - this student was even able to have virtual time with one of the professors from the CS program.
Not surprisingly, WPI has also led in setting a healthy tone with juniors who have not been permitted to visit campus due to Covid 19, and who are also concerned about cancelled test dates and P/F spring course grades. With permission, I posted Andrew B. Palumbo’s (Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid) recent letter (Washington Post, April 20th) below (see Fiske Guide for more on WPI):
—————
Dear Juniors,
Over the past several weeks, I have spent a great deal of time considering what you must be going through as covid-19 has spread across the globe. As if junior year isn’t already stressful enough, now you have to learn remotely, grapple with a pandemic and worry about your basic health and safety. Some of you may be dealing with food and housing insecurity, and mental health and wellness issues; others are impacted by the coronavirus directly as our country goes through a dangerous surge in cases. I hope you are managing and getting the support you need.
Meanwhile, your friends in the senior class are making difficult decisions as they finish their college searches. I’ve seen first-hand how difficult this is for them. But starting your college search in the midst of a global pandemic while you’re practicing isolation and social distancing with no clear end in sight? You’re facing a whole different set of challenges; I feel for you.
So many of you are calling and writing to me and my colleagues in admissions and financial aid offices across the country.
“How will pass/fail grades affect my application?”
“Will I be able to visit schools?”
“Will I get credit for my AP courses?”
“My SAT/ACT testing date was canceled. Now I might have to take these test in the Fall as I’m catching up on school work and applying to schools? And they might be online?”
“I don’t know where to start…”
I am writing to you not because I believe I have all of the answers, but because I know that you have these questions.
The college admissions process has always brought with it a high level of uncertainty and anxiety for most students. Often, applicants and their families are puzzled by admissions decisions. Every college has its own requirements, values, and decision-making process. The process lacks a feedback loop, often leaving students disappointed and wondering “why?”
The covid-19 pandemic has added a level of uncertainty never experienced by students wondering how to navigate the college admissions process; that’s potentially the hardest aspect for you to wrap your head around.
Uncertainty marks today, tomorrow, and the foreseeable future. But I encourage you to accept what you can’t change and try to focus on the things that you can.
Take care of yourself. Do everything in your power to eat well, exercise, get the rest that you need and, of course, wash your hands and don’t touch your face. Keep up with the passions that make you who you are. While colleges need to see your transcript, your essay, and letters of recommendation, we’re not admitting a collection of credentials, we’re seeking out the people who we want to welcome into our community.
Look out for your friends and family. Nothing is more important than the people you care about. Support those who you are living with and be sure to reach out to friends and family who are remote. It’s easy to become isolated and focus on ourselves and our immediate surroundings. Don’t underestimate the positive impact that a phone call, a letter, or an email can have on the people you care most about.
Do your best to focus on your education. I mean what I say: do the best that you can given the circumstances. But don’t try to do more than that. Far too often, I speak with students in the midst of the college admissions process who are striving for perfection or who want to “please” me or my university. There is no “perfect;” your education should be driven by your passion and interests, not by what you think colleges want. It’s okay to struggle. This is especially true in a time where you are likely learning in a remote environment and may be lacking accommodations, services, and the individual face time with your teachers that you might normally have.
Finally, here are a few things you should not worry about:
Pass/Fail grades: There are countless ways that high schools assess students’ performance. Admissions professionals see a range of grading point scales (4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 12.0, 100, etc.), narrative transcripts and, yes, pass/fail. Our goal is not to set expectations for your school; instead, we’re responsible for understanding your school’s grading system.
SAT/ACT: They don’t matter as much as you probably think they do. High-stakes standardized test scores have always been a point of contention for many of us in admissions. These scores don’t provide as much value as your high school transcript, and they have a problematic correlation with family income, sex, and race and ethnicity. Admissions offices never “need” a test score to make a sound admission decision. Now more than ever, schools are stepping away from this antiquated metric. Well over 1,000 schools had test-optional admissions policies before the covid-19 pandemic. In the wake of canceled SAT and ACT test dates, dozens more are rapidly eliminating these test score requirements for you and your classmates. The College Board just announced a plan to squeeze in additional test dates during your senior year and possibly host an online SAT. ACT responded that it will be offering an online version of its test. But these plans ignore what’s most important to all of you. Save your energy and focus for more important pursuits.
The Admissions Committee: The faceless group that sits around a long table discussing your greatest achievements and tries to identify critical flaws in your character and academic record? That’s a caricature of the real process and the dedicated admissions professionals who are eagerly looking forward to supporting you through your college search process and advocating on your behalf. The past five weeks I have sat in daily on Zoom meetings with an incredible group of people who are spending their days thinking about how they can support you. They are dealing with remote working issues that include caring for children and families, sharing work spaces with partners and roommates, and dealing with annoying (but adorable) interruptions by pets and children. Their lives and work aren’t normal, and they know that yours aren’t either. As a result, our admissions team — and others as well — are coming up with innovative ways to connect with you and to provide you with the information that’s critical for your college search. This is playing out at universities across the country. We are here for you. Call, email, connect on social media. We are here.
The rest of it? We’ll figure it out together.
Be safe and be well.
Sincerely,
Andrew B. Palumbo, Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
More on potential impact of Covid19 to College Students
*Bloomberg Businessweek’s article ‘Colleges with empty campuses face uncertain future’ - Moody’s Investors Service last month downgraded the credit outlook for the higher education sector to negative.
*Pass - Fail could hurt college students trying to transfer or when applying to Grad or Professional Schools - The Hechinger Report offers some insight
Covid19 considerations for Higher Ed
After several days of web conferences with higher education, I believe it necessary to highlight some of the growing areas of concern resulting from Covid-19:
Many colleges have been substantially impacted financially by Covid-19. This may be especially true for smaller regional public institutions and lesser known private colleges. If your child is planning on attending one of these types of schools, you need to ask how the 2020-2021 operating budget could be impacted, and if your child’s scholarship might result in some type of adjustment from year to year (however, if you are in the process of appealing for financial aid, do not ask these types of questions until you have the final financial aid decision).
All colleges have lost substantial revenues this current semester, and will most likely continue to do so during the summer (they are trying to determine if programing, available courses and faculty/staff, and resources need to be reduced for school year 2020-2021).
For students enrolling in comprehensive learning support programs, it is essential to ascertain if the program will continue at the same level of programming and professionalism for 2020-2021.
Fall Semester classes may be impacted too (we just do not know) – you may want to ask if deposits are refundable if the college is not able to provide in-person, on-campus instruction and residential life (and if tuition and fees might be modified if students end up with distance learning).
Finally, many families have been impacted financially, and many have lost employment. It is NOT too late to appeal a financial aid decision or file for financial aid – contact the college’s financial aid office for guidance (I’m happy to talk you through this process before you connect with the college).
Every week seems to offer us some new aspect from the fallout of Covid-19. These perspectives may look different by the end of April, and again by the end of June, and even August. But I do want you to be aware of the possible implications for school year 2020-2021 sooner rather than later.
Your children are resilient like their parents. With every change, comes an opportunity. I am anticipating that colleges will rise to this moment, and be more innovative and adjust accordingly. I am confident that our youth will emerge as even stronger, more creative, better problem solvers.
Today’s AP Article highlights these growing concerns - Financial Hits pile up for Colleges as some fight to survive
Virtual College Fair - Strive Scan - April 20-23rd
Strive Scan is offering a tremendous opportunity for high school students to gain more exposure to colleges through their upcoming Virtual College Tour Sessions - to register, see Strive Scan
Sponsored by StriveScan in partnership with these national organizations:
NACAC, TACAC, PACAC, MACAC, WACAC, KYACAC, NEACAC, WACAC, IACAC, MOACAC, PNACAC, rmacad, MT, GreatPlains ACAC
Public Loan Forgiveness
To clarify for this opportunity, a borrower must have done the following as outlined by Dept of Education:
- Submitted the Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Application for Forgiveness and had that application denied because some or all of the payments were not made under a qualifying repayment plan for PSLF
-- Worked at least 10 years of full-time employment with a qualifying employer, certified by the employer, and approved by the Department
-- Made 120 qualifying monthly payments under the new requirements for the TEPSLF opportunity while working full-time for a qualifying employer or employers
Borrowers who believe they may qualify for the TEPSLF opportunity should email a request for reconsideration to TEPSLF@MyFedLoan.org.
From the New York Times:
"So now comes the fix-it fund. It could allow some of the people who were in a list of formerly ineligible repayment plans into the loan forgiveness program if they apply for the exception before the $350 million runs out (or after Congress allocates more money, if that ever happens). Only people who paid more than they would have under an income-driven repayment plan on their most recent monthly loan payment and the one 12 months ago (and thus were consistently overpaying, in effect) will be eligible.
If this sounds like it applies to you, you need to do the following things in the following order. First, you need to make 120 on-time payments in the right job, with the right loan; you can't go looking for relief yet if you've made only 90 payments, even if you already know that 30 of them, five or more years ago, were in the wrong repayment plan. Then, you need to ask FedLoan, your servicer, to begin formal forgiveness proceedings. It will then reject you for being in the wrong repayment plan for part or all of that 120-month period.
Only once that happens can you apply for the money, by sending an email to FedLoan. (The address is on the Department of Education's website.) The department has a template there that you can follow."
Michael Rose, Director for Government Relations, NACAC
College Board AP Exams - First two weeks of May
Good luck to the many Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors taking COLLEGE BOARD AP Exams for the next two weeks.
Here in Texas, you have reason to be even more hopeful in gaining college credit - In 2015, the Texas Legislature passed a law (HB 1992) that affects the way that public colleges and universities award credit for AP tests. The intent was to increase access to college credit and improve retention and graduation rates for students across the state by requiring credit for AP scores of 3 or higher.
Find colleges and universities that offer credit or placement for AP scores. Begin your search by entering the name of the institution - Search Credit Policies
AP Exams not only offer possible opportunities to strength your college application and gain college credit, but to also receive special recognition such as AP Scholar - see AP Scholar Awards for more information.
College Board does provide a means to cancel and even delete a score - see Other AP Score Report Services
“Your AP Exam Score Reports will be online in July - check your College Board Account. ”
Why Attend A College Fair
Why Attending a College Fair Is a Good Idea
In-person College Connection
This is your opportunity to establish a personal connection with a particular College or University. Ask questions and get immediate feedback. Register your interest with colleges of your choice.
Save money & time
Visit with numerous college admission reps without the added expense of travel and time away.
Explore new options
Discover a new college(s) or major(s). Learn about pre-college summer programs.
Free advice
Admission representatives love to answer questions about their schools and admission requirements. High School Counselors will also be available to answer some of your college related questions.
Narrow your list of possible college options
Identify colleges that you want to know more about; plan a campus visit.
Demonstrate Interest
Colleges keep track of student contact – attendance at high school visit sessions, college fairs and campus visits provide great opportunities to demonstrate how serious you are about a school.
BEFORE YOU GO; ATTENDING THE FAIR: FOLLOWING UP:
Go to the NACAC link to determine the best location and date to attend the fair
Register online - ahead of time, to ensure that colleges get your contact information - BE CONSISTENT with your contact information - try to use the same email, legal name, same phone number throughout the entire process
Review the list of colleges participating in the fair ahead of time to manage your time while at the fair (these fairs are huge)
Arrive on time, plan for parking time, once you have arrived, get a map of the college table arrangements to navigate the fair in an efficient manner
Introduce yourself to reps, share your interests, ask a few good questions
Take a few notes and journal your impressions after the fair
Consider a GAP Year
Ask Patricia Nehme about her Georgetown Texas Presentations
STEPS to the College Admission Process
Parent Presentations for the Class of 2017 and 2018
Sponsored by Prepare U Clubs at Georgetown High School and East View High School
Presented by Patricia Nehme, college counselor, board certified member of the American Institute of Certified Educational Planners, and professional member of the National Association of College Admissions Counseling and the Texas Association of College Admission Counseling. Pat is also a proud parent of a Georgetown High School graduate.
Funded through a grant from Seeds of Strength....Next Generation program .
All Programs will be held at John Thomas Lecture Hall off the front corridor of GHS.
Thursday: January 14,2016 @ 7:00PM
The Early Bird Gets the Worm
Looking ahead and planning really pays off. In this step, you will understand how to determine which college entrance exams your child should take and the optimal time for scheduling tests. You’ll see how creating a testing strategy can strengthen your child’s application and save you money. You will receive an overview of standardized testing requirements and how these exams can impact ‘college cost of attendance’.
Thursday: February 11, 2016 @ 7:00 PM
Alternative Paths to College
More than ever before, new alternative paths to college are emerging. This step introduces parents to some of the numerous alternative paths to colleges, as well as the many new career options opening up for students right here in Texas. Learn how House Bill 5 and House Bill 505 are real game changers for many students seeking careers without acquiring the traditional 4-year degree, and for those families seeking to save ‘university tuition dollars’ through AP, Dual and Concurrent college credit coursework.
Thursday, March 3, 2016 @ 7:00 PM
READY – SET – GO
Summer is almost here and soon your child will be completing and submitting college applications. Learn how to navigate and manage the process. You will understand the various components of the application process including filing for financial aid. Leave with a step-by-step ‘TO DO’ list for summer through your child’s graduation, as well as an awareness of new college admission trends.
Other dates to note:
Explore Texas Day at the University of Texas, Austin, March 5, 2016, Activities all day!
National College Fair, Austin Convention Center April 7, 2016, 5:30-8:30 PM
Educational Consulting - AP Exams
AP Exam Scores will be released next week - East Coast July 6th, Texas July 9th, the West Coast July 10th - seehttps://apscore.collegeboard.org/scores
Now is the time to think about AP Exam Options for May 2016 - Some schools, especially those that do not offer many AP Courses, are reluctant to share publicly that all students have the right to be aware of and register for any of the AP Exams. These schools may discourage sharing such information for several reasons. Some schools lack the personnel, space and time to administer additional exams for only a small group of students. Some schools believe that many students will simply not be prepared to perform well on these exams because the student lacks the foundation of the corresponding AP Course. School administration may also fear that the school will somehow be seen as responsible to prepare the student for the exam, and that an ensuing low exam score will be seen as a reflection of the school. When schools routinely offer only those AP Exams in which they have a history of high scores, the school's academic profile looks stronger.
Students interested in taking AP Exams not normally offered at their school should plan in the fall of their school year to make their request known. They should start with their high school counselor for guidance. Counselors want to help students in reaching academic goals. Plan far in advance and seek out assistance from your high school counselor. Remember, AP Exams can be taken at other school locations.
. If you attend a school that does not offer a particular AP Course, you can still prepare and take AP Exams. You must contact AP Services by the 1st of March to get the contact info of local testing locations - see AP Student - Identifying Testing Sites . For a description of available exams, see AP Exam Descriptions. Prepare yourself or take an AP Course from one of the many ONLINE AP Course Providers.
Educational Consulting - Students With Learning Disabilities
Complimentary Presentation
For Parents only - Tues., May 19th - 6:00—7:30 pm
5900 Southwest Pkwy, Austin, Texas 78735
Please RSVP (limited seating) - pnehme@myeduadvisor.com
Parents, counselors and advisors play a pivotal role in readying students challenged by learning disabilities for college and career. This workshop identifies sequential steps in which parents and professionals can maximize college and career guidance for optimal student outcomes. Content will cover the foundational importance of fostering student and parent self-awareness; developing and implementing a transition plan that optimizes student’s preparation for post-secondary pursuits; advocating for reasonable testing accommodations; evaluating college choices based on academic and social supports, and orienting students for Freshman Year.
Patricia will also provide this presentation at NACAC Critical Components in Austin, May 28th, for college admission professionals.
Educational Consulting - The British Are Coming
Over the month of April, a small group of UK Colleges have been traveling through Texas, gracing counselors with luncheons and evening receptions, as well as being present at National College Fairs to invite Texas High School Students to consider an UK Undergraduate degree.
Thank you to the British Council for arranging this Texas tour.
Take a look:
York University, Manchester Metropolitan, Bath Spa, Royal Agricultural University, University East London, Plymouth University, Bournemouth University, Southampton University, Keele University, University of Bolton, University of West London, University of Manchester, DeMontford University, Northumbria University, University of Roehampton.
Remember, when applying to these schools or other UK Universities, each school's faculty of a particular department or major, will be the ones to review your application - not the admissions office. You must know what you want to major in and how best to express your focused interests in the personal statement.
Questions on UK Universities, ask me - Patricia Nehme - pnehme@myeduadvisor.com
Educational Consulting - NACAC National College Fair Comes to Austin
Last night's college fair in Austin proved to be another great opportunity for students and parents to witness the multitude of college options. Almost 400 schools were present to answer questions and connect with college-bound students.
I enjoyed greeting college reps not only from the United States, but also from the UK, France and Canada. Equally, welcoming parents and students as they entered the massive conference hall wondering where to begin always reminds me of the new college admission season ahead.
Helping families understand the unique features of various colleges and determine where to focus their attention in order to conquer the college fair is a real highlight for me.
Much thanks goes to NACAC and the state affiliate TACAC - they do an incredible job of organizing these events thus connecting students, parents, high school counselors and colleges.
Want more information - ask PATRICIA NEHME - MY EDU ADVISOR
