SE Connecticut News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On April 26, in honor of Community College Month, Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-02) led lawmakers in introducing a resolution to recognize community colleges’ significant contributions to students, workers, and employers.

“I am proud to lead my colleagues in reaffirming the important role community colleges play in creating a pathway to success for millions of students. For decades, community colleges have opened the door to quality, higher education for students, regardless of their family’s income,” said Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-02), a senior member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce. “Community colleges are particularly critical to eastern Connecticut’s students and employers. With so many new jobs on the horizon, community colleges are well-situated to prepare workers with the skills they need to succeed. Moving forward, I am committed to working with my colleagues to bolster resources for community colleges and ensure they can continue delivering on their mission.”

“Community college month is a valuable opportunity to recognize the importance of these institutions to individuals, families, and communities across the country,” said Jared Bass, senior director of higher education at the Center for American Progress. “We applaud Rep. Courtney and his colleagues for their efforts and encourage all Members of Congress to lift up and celebrate the unique role that community colleges play in the United States.”

"ACCT revitalized Community College Month as a nationwide grassroots campaign in 2018 to shine a spotlight on the life-changing effects of our nation's community colleges," said Association of Community College Trustees President and CEO Jee Hang Lee. "Community colleges are invaluable engines of socioeconomic equity and equality, guaranteeing an onramp to high-quality higher education for every person who chooses to pursue it. Our colleges equip millions of people every year for better-paying jobs. They are a vital aspect of American democracy that bridges the wealth gap and guarantee opportunities for all people. We are grateful to Representative Courtney for bringing forth this resolution as it demonstrates our lawmakers’ commitment to our institutions and the students and communities they serve. We will continue to work toward bringing our nation's greatest asset—our community college system—the respect and admiration it deserves."

This resolution represents Rep. Courtney’s ongoing commitment to community colleges and their students. Last Congress, Rep. Courtney helped pass the American Rescue Plan which delivered federal funding to help community colleges avert financial crisis and meet students’ needs. For example, community colleges across eastern Connecticut gave funding to students to address hunger, homelessness, and other hardships.

Today, there are 1,038 community colleges nationwide and serve 10.2 million credit and noncredit students. Importantly, public community colleges are an affordable option charging average annual tuition and fees for in-district students of $3,860, and serve students who often are working, low-income, parents, veterans, and/or the first in their family to go to college.

In 2020, alumni of community colleges generated nearly $900 billion in added income to the national economy in fiscal year 2020, or 4.1 percent of the total gross domestic product. Moreover, every dollar of public funding for community colleges returns $6.80 in tax revenue. Simply put, investing in community colleges is good for taxpayers and our economy.

To read the resolution, click here.

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Education

Original source can be found here.