I had the privilege of joining President Obama and Dr. Jill Biden in Michigan last week to unveil and promote the White House’s College Promise campaign for free community college education. The President understands the unique and fundamental role community colleges play in building America’s middle class.
College Promise, first announced during the State of the Union speech in January, is a truly bi-partisan effort to assist states, cities and colleges in implementing policies and practices that help students succeed. I am especially honored to be serving on the College Promise’s national advisory board with distinguished academic and business leaders, and public officials.
Listening to the President make the case for supporting community college students as a smart investment in America’s future, I was struck by what an enormous opportunity we have at hand to fulfill the promise of so many LaGuardia students and millions of low-income, new-immigrant, and first-generation college students around the country.
This is a very special moment in time for community colleges. A national conversation is now taking place. A movement is being fueled by dynamic public and private sector partnerships, and by the power of visionary philanthropy, which recognizes that community colleges are the gateway to the middle class in America.
I thank you for your encouragement, advocacy and support of our students.
Warmest regards,
Dr. Gail O. Mellow
President