Tag: Announces

  • Trump announces 10 new Education Department appointees

    Trump announces 10 new Education Department appointees

    The Trump administration named 10 new Education Department appointees Thursday, four of whom have previously worked with the America First Policy Institute, a pro-Trump think tank formed in 2021 as the president ended his first term in office. 

    Education secretary nominee Linda McMahon was a co-founder of AFPI and served as the group’s president and CEO until she was selected to head the department.

    Thursday’s announcement offers more insight into who will help carry out Trump’s education agenda. Until McMahon and Deputy Secretary–designate Penny Schwinn are confirmed by the Senate, a veteran agency official, Denise Carter, will serve as acting secretary.  

    The newest cohort of appointees includes:

    • Rachel Oglesby, a former AFPI chief state action officer, as chief of staff.
    • Jonathan Pidluzny, AFPI’s former director of higher education reform, as deputy chief of staff for policy and programs.
    • Virginia “Chase” Forrester, former AFPI chief events officer, as deputy chief of staff for operations.
    • Craig Trainor, a former congressional senior special counsel and AFPI senior litigation counsel, as deputy assistant secretary for policy in the Office for Civil Rights. (During his time at AFPI, Trainor worked under Pam Bondi, whom Trump has nominated as his attorney general.)
    • Steve Warzoha as White House liaison.
    • Tom Wheeler as principal deputy general counsel.
    • Madi Biedermann as deputy assistant secretary for the Office of Communications and Outreach.
    • Candice Jackson, who served in the first Trump administration, as deputy general counsel.
    • Joshua Kleinfeld as deputy general counsel.
    • Hannah Ruth Earl as director of the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.    

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  • Top Hat Announces the 2024 Shannen’s Dream Scholarship Recipients

    Top Hat Announces the 2024 Shannen’s Dream Scholarship Recipients

    TORONTO – June 7, 2024 – Top Hat, the leader in student engagement solutions for higher education, is proud to announce that four exceptional First Nations students have been awarded this year’s Shannen’s Dream Scholarship. Launched in 2022 by the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society with the support of Top Hat and the Collure Family of Richmond Hill, ON, each recipient will receive $10,000 to support their pursuit of a post-secondary education. 

    “We are truly inspired by this year’s Shannen’s Dream Scholarship recipients, both in terms of their academic achievements and as volunteers and agents of change within their communities,” said Maggie Leen, CEO of Top Hat. “As future leaders, doctors, scientists, and educators, they exemplify what’s possible when dedicated individuals have access to the benefits of higher education.”

    The Scholarship is named in honor of Shannen Koostachin, a courageous young leader from Attawapiskat First Nation who inspired a national movement to establish safe and comfortable schools for First Nations students. What makes the Shannen’s Dream Scholarship particularly special is the ‘pay-it-forward’ component, which requires recipients to make a measurable contribution to the Shannen’s Dream campaign or related First Nations initiative. 

    “Our scholarship recipients are honoring Shannen’s legacy through their leadership, their community contributions and their academic achievements,” said Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director of the Caring Society. “We are grateful to Top Hat and the Collure Family for their support and for sharing our conviction that a more equitable and just society rests on ensuring First Nations students are able to pursue their dreams of a high quality education.”

    Meet the 2024 Shannen’s Dream Scholarship Recipients

    Aleria McKay was raised on Six Nations of the Grand River and is completing her Bachelor of Education at York’s Waaban Indigenous Teacher Education Program. A poet, playwright and educator, this fall she will start her Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia. 

    Jaimey Jacobs is Ojibwe and a band member of the Walpole Island First Nation. A first year medical student at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at Western University, Jaimey is a passionate advocate for Indigenous healthcare and supporting Indigenous youth in navigating educational opportunities within the healthcare profession. 

    Rainbird Daniels is Plains Cree, Yankton Sioux, and Dakota from the Sturgeon Lake First Nation. She is pursuing a degree in Psychology at York University in Toronto where she also serves as the President of the Indigenous Student Association. As an Indigenous Languages Specialist at the Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Languages, she is deeply committed to promoting cultural awareness and advancing human rights.

    Taylor Nicholls is from the Wahnapitae First Nation and is pursuing a Master’s of Science in Biology at Laurentian University. Her thesis involves assessing various environmental contaminants in fish the Wahnapitae First Nation relies on as a traditional food source. Taylor is an ardent environmentalist whose research involves weaving Western science, citizen science, and traditional ecological knowledge.

    About Shannen’s Dream Scholarship

    The Shannen’s Dream Scholarship was established to assist First Nations youth with the financial burdens of post-secondary education. The scholarship honors Shannen Koostachin, whose advocacy for safe and comfortable schools for First Nations students ignited a nationwide movement. This scholarship aims to continue her legacy by empowering First Nations students to achieve their educational aspirations. To learn more, please visit  www.fncaringsociety.com.

    About Top Hat

    As the leader in student engagement solutions for higher education, Top Hat enables educators to employ evidence-based teaching practices through interactive content, tools, and activities in in-person, online and hybrid classroom environments. Thousands of faculty at 750 leading North American colleges and universities use Top Hat to create meaningful, engaging and accessible learning experiences for students before, during, and after class. To learn more, please visit tophat.com.

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  • DHS Announces First Phase of Final H-1B Modernization Rule – CUPA-HR

    DHS Announces First Phase of Final H-1B Modernization Rule – CUPA-HR

    by CUPA-HR | February 1, 2024

    On January 30, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a final rule to implement a new beneficiary-centric selection process for H-1B registrations. This rule, which also introduces start date flexibility for certain H-1B cap-subject petitions and additional integrity measures, is scheduled for publication in the Federal Register on February 2, 2024, and will become effective 30 days later.

    The rule does not finalize all the provisions in the H-1B Modernization Proposal from last October. Notably absent are changes to the definitions of H-1B specialty occupation, policies of deference to prior adjudications, and modifications to cap-gap protection, among others. DHS has indicated plans to publish a separate final rule to address these remaining aspects from October’s proposed rule.

    Summary of Key Changes

    • Beneficiary-Centric Selection Process. The final rule introduces a change in the H-1B registration selection process. Instead of a registration-based lottery system, DHS will now implement a beneficiary-centric approach. This means that each foreign worker (beneficiary) will be entered into the selection process once, irrespective of the number of registrations submitted on their behalf. This change is designed to offer a fairer, more equitable system and reduce the potential for manipulation.
    • Start Date Flexibility. The final rule provides more flexibility for the employment start dates in H-1B cap-subject petitions. Employers will now be allowed to file petitions with start dates that are after October 1 of the relevant fiscal year. This aligns with current DHS policy and removes previous restrictions, offering more convenience for employers and beneficiaries.
    • Enhanced Integrity Measures. Under the final rule, DHS codifies its ability to deny or revoke H-1B petitions in cases where the underlying registration contains a false attestation or is otherwise invalid. Additionally, the rule stipulates that DHS may deny or revoke the approval of an H-1B petition if issues arise with the H-1B cap registration fee, such as if the fee is declined, not reconciled, disputed, or deemed invalid after submission.

    With the final rule, DHS not only introduces key adjustments to the H-1B visa process but also sets the stage for efficiency enhancements. Starting February 28, 2024, USCIS will launch an online filing option for Forms I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, and Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service.

    In addition, USCIS will launch new organizational accounts in its online platform on February 28. These accounts are designed to enable collaboration within organizations and their legal representatives on H-1B registrations, petitions, and associated premium processing requests. While some details about this new account system and the e-filing function have been provided, USCIS is expected to release more comprehensive information in the coming weeks.



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  • DHS Announces Proposed Pilot Program for Non-E-Verify Employers to Use Remote I-9 Document Examination – CUPA-HR

    DHS Announces Proposed Pilot Program for Non-E-Verify Employers to Use Remote I-9 Document Examination – CUPA-HR

    by CUPA-HR | August 9, 2023

    On August 3, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a notice in the Federal Register seeking comments on a potential pilot program to allow employers not enrolled in E-Verify to harness remote examination procedures for the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification.

    Background

    DHS’s recent actions are built upon a series of moves aimed at modernizing and making more flexible the employment verification process. On July 25, 2023, the DHS rolled out a final rule enabling the Secretary of Homeland Security to authorize optional alternative examination practices for employers when inspecting an individual’s identity and employment authorization documents, as mandated by the Form I-9. The rule creates a framework under which DHS may implement permanent flexibilities under specified conditions, start pilot procedures with respect to the examination of documents, or react to crises similar to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Alongside the final rule, DHS published a notice in the Federal Register authorizing a remote document examination procedure for employers who are participants in good standing in E-Verify and announced it would be disclosing details in the near future about a pilot program to a broader category of businesses.

    Key Highlights of the Proposed Non-E-Verify Remote Document Examination Pilot 

    DHS’s proposal primarily revolves around the following points:

    • Purpose: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) intends to gauge the security impact of remote verification compared to traditional in-person examination of the Form I99. This involves evaluating potential consequences like error rates, fraud and discriminatory practices.
    • Pilot Procedure: The new pilot program would mirror the already authorized alternative method for E-Verify employers, including aspects such as remote document inspection, document retention and anti-discrimination measures.
    • Eligibility: The pilot program is open to most employers unless they have more than 500 employees. However, E-Verify employers are excluded since DHS has already greenlit an alternative for them.
    • Application Process: Interested employers must fill out the draft application form, which DHS has made available online. This form captures details like company information, terms of participation, participant obligations, and more.
    • Information Collection: Employers wishing to join the pilot would be required to complete the formal application linked above. ICE would periodically seek data from these employers, such as the number of new hires or how many employees asked for a physical inspection.
    • Documentation: Participating companies must electronically store clear copies of all supporting documents provided by individuals for the Form I-9. They might also be required to undertake mandatory trainings for detecting fraudulent documents and preventing discrimination.
    • Onsite/Hybrid Employees: Companies might face restrictions or a set timeframe for onsite or hybrid employees, dictating when they must physically check the Form I-9 after the initial remote assessment.
    • Audits and Investigations: All employers, including pilot participants, are liable for audits and evaluations. DHS plans to contrast data from these assessments to discern any systemic differences between the new method and the traditional one.

    What’s Next: Seeking Public Comments by October 2 

    DHS is actively seeking feedback from the public regarding the proposed pilot and the draft application form. The department encourages stakeholders to consider and provide insights on the following points:

    • Practical Utility: Assess if the proposed information requirement is vital for the agency’s proper functioning and whether the data collected will be practically useful.
    • Accuracy and Validity: Analyze the agency’s estimation of the information collection’s burden, ensuring the methods and assumptions are valid.
    • Enhance Information Quality: Offer suggestions to improve the clarity, utility and overall quality of the data collected.
    • Minimize Collection Burden: Propose ways to ease the data collection process for respondents, exploring technological solutions such as electronic submissions.

    In light of this, CUPA-HR plans to carefully evaluate the notice and associated application. Based on its review, CUPA-HR is considering submitting comments to provide valuable insights to DHS. CUPA-HR will keep members apprised of any updates regarding this proposed pilot program and other changes to Form I-9 alternative examination procedures.



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  • DHS Announces Final Rule Permitting Alternative Options for Form I-9 Document Examination – CUPA-HR

    DHS Announces Final Rule Permitting Alternative Options for Form I-9 Document Examination – CUPA-HR

    by CUPA-HR | July 24, 2023

    On July 21, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a final rule permitting the Secretary of Homeland Security to authorize optional alternative examination practices for employers when reviewing an individual’s identity and employment authorization documents required by the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. The rule creates a framework under which DHS may implement permanent flexibilities under specified conditions, start pilot procedures with respect to the examination of documents, or react to crises similar to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Simultaneously, DHS published a notice in the Federal Register authorizing an alternative document examination procedure. This provides employers who are participants in good standing in E-Verify with the option to remotely examine their employees’ identity and employment authorization documents via a live video interaction.

    Background

    Under current law, employers are required to physically examine an individual’s identity and employment authorization documents within three business days after an individual’s first day of employment. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, DHS introduced temporary flexibilities in March 2020, enabling employers to remotely review these documents. This virtual inspection was to be succeeded by a physical examination within three business days once normal operations resumed. These flexibilities, extended multiple times, are set to expire on July 31, 2023.

    Due to the success of temporary changes to document verification procedures implemented at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, DHS issued a Request for Public Input (RPI) on October 26, 2021, concerning remote document examination. This move initiated a discussion on whether these leniencies should be extended permanently. After examining the comments responding to the RPI, DHS proposed a framework on August 18, 2022, empowering the Secretary to extend these flexibilities. CUPA-HR submitted comments in response to the RPI (see here) and proposal (see here) encouraging DHS to move forward expediently and ensure that a remote review process remains available following the end of the COVID-19 Flexibilities.

    Details of the Alternative Procedure

    From August 1, 2023, eligible employers can start using the alternative procedure as outlined in the Federal Register notice. The conditions include: (1) restricting participation to E-Verify participants in good standing; (2) broadening document retention requirements to include clear and legible copies of all Form I-9 documents; (3) requiring E-Verify training on fraud awareness and antidiscrimination; and (4) holding a live video interaction after the employee transmits a copy of the document(s) to the employer.

    Employers participating in E-Verify, who created a case for employees whose documents were examined during the COVID-19 flexibility period (March 20, 2020 to July 31, 2023), can opt for the new alternative procedure from August 1, 2023 to satisfy the required physical examination of the employee’s documents for that Form I-9. Conversely, employers not enrolled in E-Verify during the flexibility period must complete a physical examination in-person by August 30, 2023 as outlined in the Agency’s May 4 announcement.

    What’s Next

    Looking ahead, DHS continues to expand its efforts to streamline employment verification procedures. As part of this endeavor, the department is gearing up to roll out a pilot program offering a remote examination option not just to E-Verify-enrolled employers but also to a broader category of businesses. This pilot program is expected to inform decisions about a comprehensive expansion of the remote examination option.

    Simultaneously, DHS is preparing to issue a new edition of Form I-9. Dated August 1, 2023, the new form will become the standard for all employers starting November 1, 2023. Until then, employers can still use the previous edition dated October 21, 2019, through October 31, 2023. It’s important to note, however, that if an employer chooses to utilize the 2019 edition in conjunction with the new alternative remote inspection procedure, they must mark “alternative procedure” in the Additional Information field in Section 2 of Form I-9.

    According to DHS, more details about the new Form I-9 and the pilot program will be disclosed in the near future. CUPA-HR will continue to monitor these developments and keep members apprised as they are announced.

     



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  • Higher Ed Without Borders Announces Its First Guest – Edu Alliance Journal

    Higher Ed Without Borders Announces Its First Guest – Edu Alliance Journal

    May 29, 2022 – Higher Ed Without Borders a podcast series dedicated to education professionals worldwide announced its opening guest will be Dr. Ehab Abdel-Rahman, Provost of The American University in Cairo.  The series is hosted by co-founders of Edu Alliance Dr. Senthil Nathan in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and Dean Hoke in Bloomington, Indiana. The episode will be available on June 7th.

    Each episode is a half-an-hour-long conversation with international thought leaders that will enlighten and provide some new thoughts on critical issues facing higher education globally. You can subscribe to this free podcast series by going to Higher Ed Without Borders or searching for “Higher Ed Without Borders” on your preferred podcast app.

    Podcast Guest Dr. Ehab Abdel-Rahman

    Dr. Abdel-Rahman is the Provost of the American University in Cairo (AUC).  The university founded in 1919 has over 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students from over 60 nations. He is the Chief Academic Officer and provides administrative leadership and oversight for all academic components of the University. As Provost, he has twice led the re-accreditations of AUC by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)  and the National Authority for Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Education “NAQAAE”.

    He also spearheaded the development of AUC’s Strategic Plan, and in 2020, AUC’s QS World University Rankings moved up 25 places, placing it amongst the top 1.5% of universities worldwide.

    Dr. Abdel-Rahman holds his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Physics from Helwan University in Cairo and his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Utah.

    Future Guests Include

    • Dr. Allen Goodman, Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of International Education (IIE)
    • Dr. Frank Cooley, Chancellor Purdue University Global
    • Dr. Jim Henderson, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the University of Louisiana System
    • Dr. Gil Latz, Vice Provost of Global Strategies, and International Affairs for The Ohio State University
    • Dr. Mariët Westermann Vice Chancellor of New York University, Abu Dhabi

    Co-Host Biographies

    Dr. Senthil Nathan is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Edu Alliance Ltd in Abu Dhabi, UAE.  Since the founding of the company in 2014, Senthil has been involved in numerous advisory & consulting projects for higher education institutions and investment firms.

    After spending a decade in the USA on research and engineering design projects, Dr. Nathan joined the Higher Colleges of Technology in 1993, the largest higher education institution in the UAE. He served in various positions and from 2006-to 2014 was Deputy Vice-Chancellor / Vice Provost for Planning & Administration. Dr. Nathan has been involved in numerous advisory and consulting roles in education/training & development engagements. In 2014 he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the National Institute of Technology in India. He is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Livingston University in Uganda. Dr. Nathan is an accomplished speaker and presents at educational events worldwide.

    Dean Hoke is Managing Partner of Edu Alliance Group in the United States and Co-Founder of Edu Alliance Ltd. in the United Arab Emirates. Dean has decades of progressively responsible and visionary leadership roles in higher education, communications & online learning. He has led numerous initiatives that have created innovation & positive change in the higher education & non-profit sector. He has worked since 1974 in senior positions in higher education, broadcasting, and online learning.

    He participates in numerous advisory & consulting projects in the fields of international education, branding, business intelligence, and online learning. He is an active speaker and writer in the field of global higher education and distance learning.  Dean is a member of the Board of the American Association of University Administrators, the Franklin University School of Education Advisory Board, and is a member of the Board of Advisors for Higher Education Digest.

    Edu Alliance

    The podcast is a production of Edu Alliance an education consulting firm located in Bloomington, Indiana, and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Founded in 2014 Edu Alliance assists higher education institutions worldwide on a variety of mission-critical projects. The consulting team is accomplished leaders who share the benefit of their experience to diagnose and solve challenges. They have provided consulting and executive search services for over 35 higher education institutions in Australia, Egypt, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Nigeria, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, and the United States.

    A special thanks to:

    White Rabbit in Bloomington, Indiana is the production partner providing graphics and audio support.

    Higher Education Digest is the media partner for Higher Ed Without Borders podcast. The Digest is an independent Higher Education Portal and Magazine.

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