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Rethinking retention: Academic strategies to retain distance education students

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FORT WORTH, Texas, June 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — 

The following is written by Carlos Morales, Ph.D., President, TCC Connect, a member of the American Association of Community Colleges.

Prior to the global pandemic, the primary focus in higher education analytics involved enrollment and student success rates. Post-pandemic, the focus shifted to retention and completion rates. This is especially true for institutions in Texas, thanks to the 2023 implementation of House Bill 8. Funding models are now heavily based on retention and completion metrics.

According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center in 2021, post-secondary retention rates in the United States declined most in the community college sector (-2.1 percentage points) during the pandemic. The decline proved more dramatic in Texas, where community college enrollment fell 11% during the pandemic, representing a loss of about 80,000 students, according to data from the Texas Education Coordinating Board.

Community college leaders surveyed in 2021 reported increasing student retention rates as one of their top two priorities: a comprehensive approach including flexible scheduling of courses and enhanced support services is a common strategy. While student retention is dependent on external factors — work demands, finances, personal motivation, health, childcare, etc. — research also shows a direct correlation between distinct online course elements and class retention. Executive leadership often discusses the topic of retention; yet faculty and instructional designers hold the keys to building relationships and retaining students for an institution.

Tarrant County College is an urban, Hispanic-serving institution with six campuses. TCC Connect Campus, formed in 2014 and entering its tenth year, is the centralized provider of online courses and programs for the college. TCC Connect Campus continually exceeds the national student retention rate. In Spring 2023, the retention rate was 90%, up from 88% in 2021.

This data reflects an understanding that empowering faculty is paramount to successful student retention. We employ academic strategies and campus processes directly supporting faculty efforts to retain students in their online courses, including:

Online Instructor Certification (OIC)Peer Developed Courses (PDC)E-Faculty CoachingOnline Faculty Performance Indicators (FPI)Supplemental Evaluation FeedbackAdoption of Quality Matters (QM) Review StandardsData DashboardsCampus Data TeamFaculty & Leadership Resource RepositoriesCourse Readiness Checklist

Alignment of academic strategies and campus processes is paramount. For example, the Course Readiness Checklist:

ensures that a course is student-ready and includes fully accessible content organized into sequenced modules with a Start Here page, per Peer Developed Course design principles; this aids student retention by offering students a consistent navigation experience. Students can focus on content rather than learn how to locate information or interact with the learning management system.includes criteria based on QM standards to check prior to the start of a course; this aids student retention by including all policies, student support services, links, handbooks, etc. Students can quickly locate the resources they need, minimizing frustration.automates requests to an instructional designer, e-faculty coach or department chair. The faculty member has instant access to support in preparing their online class. This allows them greater opportunity to focus on pedagogical elements and interaction, prioritizing their student-centric role.

Retaining students at the community college level requires collaborative, innovative and fluid thinking. Understanding the data — why students leave and why they stay — is the first step. Acknowledging that faculty are a great asset in building relationships — one student and one course at a time — comes next. The community college leader must support faculty and include academic initiatives in the comprehensive approach to increase overall student retention.

Quality courses, delivered by enthusiastic educators, motivate students to stay and progress towards graduation.

Uniquely American, community colleges serve more than 10 million students annually, providing critical access to higher education in academic and workforce development. As the voice of the nation’s community colleges, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), delivers educational and economic opportunity for more than 10 million diverse students in search of the American Dream. Uniquely dedicated to access and success for all students, AACC’s member colleges provide an on-ramp to degree attainment, skilled careers, and family-supporting wages. Located in Washington, D.C., AACC advocates for these not-for-profit, public-serving institutions to ensure they have the resources and support to increase economic mobility for all. https://www.aacc.nche.edu/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rethinking-retention-academic-strategies-to-retain-distance-education-students-302163634.html

SOURCE American Association of Community Colleges

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Celerium Hosts Webinar for Healthcare IT Leaders on Fast-Track Solutions to Critical Data Breach Threats

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TORRANCE, Calif., April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In a healthcare environment where increasing data breaches often overload IT teams, a new expert-led webinar aims to equip IT with rapid, actionable solutions for preventing, detecting, and containing early-stage data breach activity.

Healthcare IT executives will gain clear, pragmatic steps to enable data breach prevention, detection and containment.

Hosted by Celerium, a cybersecurity innovator with experience supporting the U.S. Department of Defense to protect its Defense Industrial Base (DIB), the webinar is designed for time-strapped healthcare IT executives—CIOs, CISOs, and IT Directors—who are seeking effective, efficient solutions for stronger data breach defense.

Webinar Title: “Code Blue: Data Breach Defense in Health Care”

Key Topics Include:

Prevention of Data Breach Threats
Learn how healthcare organizations can take fast-track measures to stop many attacks by threat actors attempting to intrude into hospitals and other organizations.Early Detection for IT Leaders
Discover how IT executives can detect early-stage breach activity by hospital, department (e.g., Imaging, Radiology, NICU), and system—enabling better visibility, smarter resource prioritization, and improved communication with C-level stakeholders.Solving the IT Staffing Gap
Learn how overburdened IT and SOC teams can improve efficiency—even during off-hours like nights, weekends, and holidays when attackers are most active.Filling the Data Breach Detection Gaps
Understand how Celerium’s agentless solution can help secure legacy systems (EDR blind spots like ICU, NICU, imaging systems), building on technology leveraged by the U.S. Department of Defense.

Featured Speakers:

Vince Crisler, Chief Strategy Officer, Celerium – Former White House CISOJeffrey Vinson, Former CISO, Texas Health System – Recognized Top 100 Healthcare CISOTommy McDowell, General Manager, Celerium – Threat Intelligence Leader (formerly Mandiant and FireEye)Karl Kotalik, Chief Solutions Officer, Celerium – Former CEO of NC4

Why Attend?
This is a no-fluff, real-talk session for healthcare IT executives ready to explore innovative solutions. Participants will gain clear, pragmatic steps to enable early-stage breach prevention, detection and containment.

Who Should Attend:
Healthcare CIOs, CISOs, IT Directors, SOC Analysts, Security Architects, Compliance Officers, and Clinical IT Executives responsible for safeguarding healthcare systems and data.

Reserve Your Spot Today
To register or learn more about the event, visit Celerium.com.

About Celerium
Celerium® engineers powerful, active cyber defense solutions to help companies in the fight against increasing cyberattacks and data breaches. With a rich 18-year history of facilitating cyber threat sharing for critical industry sectors and government agencies, and six years of experience supporting the U.S. Department of Defense in protecting the Defense Industrial base (DIB), Celerium is an established leader in providing innovative and effective cybersecurity solutions.

Visit us online at www.Celerium.com and on Twitter at @CeleriumDefense.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/celerium-hosts-webinar-for-healthcare-it-leaders-on-fast-track-solutions-to-critical-data-breach-threats-302435169.html

SOURCE Celerium

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Rich Products Welcomes Industry Veteran Jaimie Lowe as New EVP and Chief Financial Officer

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BUFFALO, N.Y., April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Global, family-owned food company Rich Products (Rich’s) today announced the hiring of Jaimie Lowe as its new executive vice president and chief financial officer (CFO). A seasoned global finance leader with more than 25 years of experience and long tenures at companies like Unilever, Danone and most recently Tyson Foods, Lowe brings deep expertise in investment management, corporate development, financial planning and digital transformation. She joins Rich’s as a member of its executive team.

As CFO, Lowe will oversee Rich’s financial strategy and planning, risk management, capital structure, and key growth initiatives. In today’s rapidly evolving economic environment, her leadership will be instrumental in navigating the landscape, while ensuring financial resilience. A critical member of Rich’s executive team, she will shape and lead global finance into the future, ultimately helping the company deliver on its bold growth aspirations.

“Jaimie’s extensive financial expertise, coupled with her strong background in digital transformation and innovation, make her the right global leader to drive operational excellence and Rich’s aggressive growth strategy,” said Richard Ferranti, chief executive officer, Rich Products. “She joins us at a pivotal moment in our growth journey, reinforcing our commitment to remaining a strong family-owned company for generations to come.”

Prior to joining Rich’s, Lowe held executive roles at Unilever, Danone and Tyson Foods, leading Financial Planning and Analysis, Corporate Development, Investor Relations and Treasury and Risk. With deep experience in consumer-packaged goods, she has led and shaped financial strategies across various sectors, including food, nutrition, protein and beauty, as well as driven market growth and development strategies across the U.S., Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

“I’m thrilled to join Rich’s at such a dynamic time in its growth journey,” said Lowe. “As the company continues to evolve, maintaining financial strength will be key to driving innovation, expanding our capabilities and delivering exceptional value to our customers and associates around the world. I look forward to working alongside Rich’s talented team to build on its legacy of excellence and drive sustainable success for the future.”

An Australian native, Lowe earned her MBA and Bachelor of Business Accountancy from the Queensland University of Technology in Australia. Additionally, she is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and holds a Non-Executive Diploma from the Financial Times. In her free time, she volunteers as a mentor for rising and emerging talent.

For more information on Rich’s, visit http://www.richs.com.

MEET RICH’S.
Rich’s, also known as Rich Products Corporation, is a family-owned food company dedicated to inspiring possibilities. From cakes and icings to pizza, appetizers and specialty toppings, our products are used in homes, restaurants and bakeries around the world. Beyond great food, our customers also gain insights to help them stay competitive, no matter their size. Our portfolio includes creative solutions geared at helping food industry professionals compete in foodservice, retail, in-store bakery, deli, and prepared foods among others. Working in 100 locations globally, with annual sales exceeding $5 billion, Rich’s is a global leader with a focus on everything that family makes possible. Rich’s®—Infinite Possibilities. One Family.

Learn more at Richs.com or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rich-products-welcomes-industry-veteran-jaimie-lowe-as-new-evp-and-chief-financial-officer-302435966.html

SOURCE Rich Products Corporation

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CARFAX Canada Announces Launch of New Tool to Combat VIN Fraud

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HALTON REGION, ON, April 23, 2025 /CNW/ – CARFAX Canada is proud to launch VIN Fraud Check, a new tool that alerts vehicle dealers if a vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) contains data indicating potential fraud, or if it has been reported stolen in North America. VIN Fraud Check will now be available to vehicle dealers who access Vehicle History Reports through the CARFAX Canada dealer portal, at no additional charge.

“VIN Fraud Check is the latest in our suite of data-driven solutions aimed at protecting Canadians and ensuring safer vehicle transactions,” said Shawn Vording, President, CARFAX Canada. “By working closely with vehicle dealers, local police, and the provincial government, we’re equipping Canadian dealers with the tools they need to detect and avoid potential VIN fraud.”

This initiative was accelerated in response to feedback gathered during an industry roundtable hosted by the Province of Ontario. During the discussion, government representatives and industry leaders underscored the need to address the increasing reality of auto fraud through the implementation of new initiatives including data, technology, and collaboration.

“Thanks to CARFAX Canada for this incredible new tool. Combined with the hard work of law enforcement and the support of our government, it will make our cars—and our communities—safer,” said Zee Hamid, Associate Solicitor General for Auto Theft and Bail Reform.

CARFAX Canada estimates that there are approximately 127,000 Ontario registered vehicles potentially cloned across North America.1 By integrating VIN Fraud Check into the CARFAX Canada dealer portal—at no additional cost to participating dealers—this new feature provides a critical layer of protection in the used vehicle market.

“Auto theft remains a serious crime in Halton region and beyond. It is largely driven by organized crime groups that stop at nothing to evade police detection, including VIN cloning to resell stolen vehicles for profit to fuel additional criminal activities,” said Jeff Hill, Deputy Chief of Regional Operations, Halton Regional Police Service. “Technologies like VIN Fraud Check are instrumental in helping police agencies and dealers to identify vehicles being sold fraudulently, removing them from the pipeline and keeping Canadians safe.”

CARFAX Canada’s VIN fraud indication tools are made possible by leveraging the company’s comprehensive North American vehicle information database. Drawing on billions of data records from thousands of sources, CARFAX Canada’s services are uniquely positioned to provide used vehicle buyers, sellers and owners with the most comprehensive, critical information about a vehicle.

“The launch of CARFAX Canada VIN Fraud Check further supports the automotive industry’s dedication to consumer protection,” said Maureen Harquail, Chief Executive Officer & Registrar, Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC). “This is one tool that can provide dealers with crucial data to help ensure vehicle transactions are more secure.”

CARFAX Canada is committed to combating the ongoing issue of VIN fraud across the country and creating greater transparency in the used vehicle marketplace. Through extensive collaboration with the automotive industry, law enforcement and all levels of government, CARFAX Canada continues to find new ways to protect Canadians by expanding their extensive database and developing new tools to respond to changing market needs in real time.

For more information about VIN Fraud Check and CARFAX Canada’s other fraud detection resources, visit: carfax.ca/vehicle-fraud

About CARFAX Canada
CARFAX Canada, a part of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI), is Canada’s definitive source of automotive information, delivering vehicle history, valuation and service solutions. Drawing on billions of data records from thousands of sources, its products enable used vehicle buyers, sellers and vehicle service providers to make informed decisions. CARFAX Canada is dedicated to transparency and is trusted to provide vehicle history, valuation and service information to dealerships, vehicle manufacturers, consumers, service shops, major auctions, governments, insurance providers and police agencies.

Connect with CARFAX Canada on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn

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1 CARFAX Canada data, analysis excludes Ontario/Ontario potential clones

SOURCE CARFAX Canada

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