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American Association of Community Colleges

Frequently Asked Questions

AACC Plus 50 Initiative Descriptions

Q: What is the AACC Plus 50 Initiative?
A: The AACC Plus 50 Initiative is a three-year effort to identify a pilot group of two-year institutions that will create or expand campus programs to engage the plus-50 population in learning, training/re-training programs; and/or volunteer, civic, service activities. The overall goal of the Initiative is to develop and promote community colleges as the primary places where plus-50s can learn, train, and find ways to contribute to their communities and society as a whole.

Q: How is the AACC Plus 50 Initiative funded?
A: The initiative is funded with a $3.2 million grant from The Atlantic Philanthropies (www.atlanticphilanthropies.org).

Q. What is a Plus 50 Mentor College?
A: Mentor Colleges are AACC member colleges that have well-defined programs to serve the 50+ population. These programs are discrete and have identifiable recruitment and outreach activities to engage the 50+ population. Mentor Colleges have two objectives during the 3-year grant period: 1) to expand or refine their existing programs, 2) to provide program guidance and support to and collaborate with 2 AACC designated Demonstration Colleges. Mentor Colleges will identify a Plus 50 team comprising a program director and a program associate who will implement Plus 50 activities at their own college and serve as liaison to the Demonstration Colleges. A plan for sustainability after the 3-year grant period is required.

Q. Who are the Plus 50 Mentor Colleges?
A: A total of 5 Mentor Colleges have been selected to be part of the Plus 50 Initiative. Colleges receiving grants to serve as mentors for the program are:

Q: What is a Plus 50 Demonstration College?
A: Demonstration Colleges are AACC member colleges that have not yet developed or are in the early stages of developing a Plus 50 program. They have a specific and strategic plan for program development in collaboration with an AACC designated Mentor College. Demonstration colleges have expressed authorization/support from their college CEO to develop the Plus 50 program. The college will identify a Plus 50 team comprising a program director and a program associate who will implement Plus 50 activities at their own college and serve as liaison to the Mentor College. A plan for sustainability after the 3-year grant period is required.

Q: Who are the Plus 50 Demonstration Colleges?
A: A total of 8 Demonstration Colleges have been selected to be part of the Plus 50 Initiative. The 8 Demonstration colleges receiving grants are:

Q: Who is leading the AACC Plus 50 Initiative?
A: Mary Sue Vickers, Plus 50 Director, is leading the Plus 50 Initiative with the help of Katya Nekrasova, Plus 50 Senior Program Associate, and Uloma Ogbonna, Plus 50 Project Assistant.

Q: Who is AACC?
A: For 88 years, the AACC (www.aacc.nche.edu) has been the leading advocate for the nation’s community colleges, which currently number more than 1,125 and serve more than 12 million students annually. Its membership comprises 95 percent of all public two-year colleges – the largest, most accessible, most diverse sector of U.S. higher education. As institutions committed to access, community service and lifelong learning, community colleges have long-focused on the needs of adults who are already in the workforce, many of whom are seeking new skills and knowledge for changes in their lives and careers.