Technology

Rethinking retention: Academic strategies to retain distance education students

Published

2 years ago

June 4, 2024

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/

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SOURCE American Association of Community Colleges

Technology

SpaceX perpetual futures become Binance’s No. 2 traded product; Binance captures over 60% market share across CEX and DEX venues

Published

43 minutes ago

June 13, 2026

Binance exceeded $5.6 billion in SPCXUSDT trading volume over last 24 hours, with over $9 billion in accumulated trading volume across SpaceX’s Pre-IPO and post-public listing

ABU DHABI, UAE, June 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Binance has captured over 60% market share for SpaceX derivatives trading across centralized and decentralized exchanges, establishing itself as the leading liquidity venue for the product.

SpaceX perpetual futures (SPCXUSDT) are now Binance’s second–largest traded product, after Bitcoin perpetuals, reflecting strong global demand for exposure to major public–market events.

Binance also offers SpaceX stock and bStock tokenized securities, giving users greater portfolio diversification and hedging opportunities.

Key highlights

SpaceX perpetual futures became Binance’s No. 2 traded product, reflecting significant global demand for exposure to SpaceX’s public market debut.Binance captured >60% market share across CEX and DEX venues for SpaceX derivatives trading.Binance recorded over $5.6 billion in SPCXUSDT trading volume over the last 24 hours, as of June 13, 9:00 AM UTC (Coinglass, CoinMarketCap).Binance leads all CEX and DEX venues in SPCXUSDT Open Interest at $167.22 million (one-sided count).Binance recorded over $9 billion in accumulated SPCXUSDT trading volume across SpaceX’s Pre-IPO and post-public listing on Nasdaq.Binance successfully transitioned the Pre–IPO Perpetual into a standard TradFi Perpetual following SpaceX’s Nasdaq listing, with orderly price discovery anchored to publicly available valuation signals, share-count data, and market expectations.After SpaceX disclosed a higher share count in its S-1/A filing, Binance was the only exchange to successfully rebase its SpaceX Pre-IPO Perpetual contract to ensure users were not negatively impacted by dilution.

“SpaceX’s public listing was one of the most closely watched market events globally. SpaceX derivatives have become Binance’s second–largest traded product, capturing more than 60% market share across CEX and DEX venues, and demonstrating the appeal of our liquidity and product design,” said Shunyet Jan, Head of Spot and Derivatives Business at Binance.

“Our range of products — Pre–IPO futures, standard TradFi futures, stock trading, and tokenized securities — lets users access opportunities across different market lifecycles. This performance underlines our belief that better accessibility unlocks latent demand.”

Binance now offers over 7,000 stocks and ETFs for trading, alongside a broad range of digital assets, moving closer to its vision for a multi-asset financial super app that connects users to global market opportunities.

Disclaimer: Digital asset prices can be volatile. The value of your investment may go down or up and you may not get back the amount invested. You are solely responsible for your investment decisions and Binance is not liable for any losses you may incur. TradFi Perps are subject to high market risk and price volatility (particularly outside traditional market hours). In respect of Pre-IPO Perps which are subject to transition to TradFi Perp, there may be particular price volatility following official listing of the Underlying Asset and the share price may not ever reach the Final IPO Price. You may be called upon at short notice to make additional margin deposits or interest payments. If the required margin deposits or interest payments are not made within the prescribed time, your collateral may be liquidated. Moreover, you will remain liable for any resulting deficit in your account and interest charged on your account. All of your margin balance may be liquidated in the event of adverse price movement. Past performance is not a reliable predictor of future performance. TradFi Perps do not represent ownership of the relevant underlying asset. Before trading, you should make an independent assessment of the appropriateness of the transaction in light of your own objectives and circumstances, including the risks and potential benefits. Consult your own advisers, where appropriate. This information should not be construed as financial or investment advice. To learn more about how to protect yourself, visit our Responsible Trading page. For more information, see our Terms of Use, Exchange Rules, Clearing Rules, Exchange Procedures, Clearing Procedures, relevant Contract Specifications and Risk Warning.

About Binance

Binance is a leading global blockchain ecosystem behind the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and registered users. Binance is trusted by more than 320 million people in 100+ countries for its industry-leading security, transparency, trading engine speed, protections for investors, and unmatched portfolio of digital asset products and offerings from trading and finance to education, research, social good, payments, institutional services, and Web3 features. Binance is devoted to building an inclusive crypto ecosystem to increase the freedom of money and financial access for people around the world with crypto as the fundamental means. For more information, visit: https://www.binance.com.

SOURCE Binance

Technology

LaVivid Hair Introduces Sports Hair Systems Collection for Men with Active Lifestyles

Published

43 minutes ago

June 13, 2026

LaVivid Hair launches a sports-focused hair systems collection designed for men who want breathable comfort, secure attachment, and natural-looking confidence during workouts, football season, summer activities, and everyday movement.

IRVINE, Calif., June 13, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — As global football excitement builds and more men return to sports, workouts, travel, and outdoor activities, LaVivid Hair has introduced its Sports Hair Systems Collection, a curated lineup of breathable, secure, and natural-looking hair systems designed for men with active lifestyles.

Men should not have to choose between looking natural and living actively. This collection was created for customers who want to work out, play sports, travel, and enjoy daily life with more confidence.

For many men experiencing hair loss, staying active can bring concerns that go beyond performance. They may wonder whether a hair system will stay secure during sweat, whether the hairline will remain natural during movement, or whether they can focus on a game, workout, or summer activity without checking their hair.

LaVivid Hair created the Sports Hair Systems Collection to help answer those concerns with practical product choices built around comfort, hold, realism, and easier maintenance.

The collection focuses on four active-wear priorities:

Breathable comfort: Lace and lace-center constructions help improve airflow during warm weather, workouts, and active days.

Secure attachment: Hybrid bases with skin or poly perimeters provide a stable bonding area for tape or glue, helping wearers feel more confident during movement.

Natural appearance: Lace fronts, graduated hairlines, and realistic density options help maintain a natural look from different angles.

Easy maintenance: Active lifestyles require simple bonding, cleaning, and regular upkeep, especially after sweat, heat, or long wear.

“Men should not have to choose between looking natural and living actively,” said a LaVivid Hair spokesperson. “This collection was created for customers who want to work out, play sports, travel, and enjoy daily life with more confidence.”

Top recommendations from the Sports Hair Systems Collection include Simois, Light Crius, Upgrade Ares, and Mars. Each system serves a different active-wear need, from breathable full lace comfort to hybrid lace-and-skin constructions that balance airflow with secure bonding.

Simois is designed for wearers who want a breathable lace center, a natural lace front hairline, and a skin perimeter for reliable attachment. Light Crius offers a lower-density look with French lace comfort and easy bonding, making it suitable for warm-weather wear and lighter active routines. Upgrade Ares combines a lace center with an ultra-thin skin front for wearers who want a natural front appearance with practical maintenance. Mars, a full lace option, is ideal for men who prioritize maximum breathability and lightweight comfort for light sports and summer activity.

For sports and active lifestyles, LaVivid Hair also recommends pairing the right base with dependable attachment products such as Ultra Hold Tape and Ultra Hold Glue. The right adhesive routine can help improve confidence during workouts, football matches, and daily movement.

The Sports Hair Systems Collection is now available at LaVivid Hair. Customers can explore the collection here:

https://www.lavividhair.com/collections/workout?utm_source=prweb&utm_medium=press-release&utm_campaign=prweb_260318&utm_id=prweb_260318&utm_content=sports_hair_systems_collection

To learn more about LaVivid men’s hair systems, visit:

https://www.lavividhair.com/?utm_source=prweb&utm_medium=press-release&utm_campaign=prweb_260318&utm_id=prweb_260318

About LaVivid Hair

LaVivid Hair provides hair replacement solutions for men around the world, offering natural-looking men’s hair systems designed for different lifestyles, preferences, and everyday needs. Through continuous product development and customer-focused innovation, LaVivid Hair helps wearers regain confidence with comfortable, realistic, and reliable hair systems.

Media Contact

Charlie Sue, LaVivid Hair, 1 833-879-0279, service@lavividhair.com, LaVivid Hair

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SOURCE LaVivid Hair

Technology

Hexaware Expands Presence in Gujarat with New Delivery Center at GIFT City

Published

2 hours ago

June 13, 2026

MUMBAI, India, LONDON and ISELIN, N.J., June 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hexaware Technologies [NSE: HEXT], a global provider of IT solutions and services, today opened a new delivery center at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), India’s premier international financial services hub. The center, inaugurated by Shri Bhupendra Patel, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat, will serve Hexaware’s global banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) clients across digital solutions, artificial intelligence (AI), cloud transformation, data engineering, and next-gen software services.

Hexaware’s established presence in Ahmedabad and Gujarat provides the foundation for this investment. With the GIFT City center, the company is building a technology and innovation hub that serves financial institutions across global markets. The company aims to create approximately 1,000 high-skilled jobs over the next three years, covering software engineering, digital transformation, AI, cloud, data analytics, business operations, and customer experience services.

“The establishment of Hexaware’s delivery center at GIFT City is a strong endorsement of Gujarat’s position as a globally competitive destination for financial services and technology. This is the kind of high-value investment the state has been building toward, and we are pleased to welcome Hexaware to this ecosystem,” said Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.

“GIFT City represents a unique convergence of financial services, technology, and innovation. Our expansion into GIFT City aligns with our strategy of being closer to our customers while leveraging India’s exceptional talent ecosystem. We’re excited to contribute to the growth of Gujarat’s technology landscape and create meaningful career opportunities for skilled professionals,” said R. Srikrishna, CEO & Executive Director, Hexaware.

“GIFT City presents a compelling proposition for a company of Hexaware’s focus and scale. The financial services landscape, the quality of talent, and the policy framework the state government has put in place made this a clear decision for us,” said Vikash Kumar Jain, Chief Financial Officer, Hexaware.

The GIFT City center adds to Hexaware’s growing delivery footprint in India, supporting the company’s work with BFSI clients across global markets.

About Hexaware

Hexaware is a global technology and business process services company. Every day, Hexawarians wake up with a singular purpose: to create smiles through great people and technology. With offices across the world, we empower enterprises worldwide to realize digital transformation at scale and speed by partnering with them to build, transform, run, and optimize their technology and business processes. Learn more about Hexaware at https://hexaware.com.

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