Washington (April 30, 2024) – A resolution designating April “Community College Month,” introduced by Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), today unanimously passed United States Senate. More than 1,000 public, tribal, and independent community colleges currently serve 10.2 million students nationwide.
“Community colleges are exactly that – of and for the community. When we invest in them, we are investing in people, families, neighborhoods, and their futures,” said Senator Markey. “I am proud to designate April as Community College Month in recognition of their crucial role as the backbone of our workforce and drivers of economic opportunity and mobility.”
“Maine’s Community Colleges play an important role in shaping our future workforce and providing students with the skills they need to prepare for rewarding careers in industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, cybersecurity, and health care,” said Senator Collins. “This bipartisan resolution celebrates the hard work of faculty at the more than 1,000 community colleges throughout our country and reaffirms our commitment to increasing access to higher education and workforce training.”
A companion resolution in the House of Representatives was introduced by Reps. Courtney (D-CT-02), Bilirakis (R-FL-12), and Ciscomani (R-AZ-06).
“I am proud to join 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 Congressman Joe Courtney. “Community colleges are particularly critical to eastern Connecticut’s students and employers. With a booming job market, community colleges are well-situated to prepare workers with the skills they need to succeed. I look forward to continuing working with my colleagues to bolster resources for community colleges and ensure they can keep delivering on their mission.”
“Community Colleges empower students of all ages with the tools, industry certifications and hands-on skills they need to be successful in high wage jobs that are in demand throughout the country. The skilled workforce they help create serves as a catalyst for fueling our nation’s economic engine,” said Congressman Gus Bilirakis. “This Community College Month, we celebrate the success of these fine educational institutions and the positive impact they have on the lives of millions of Americans.”
Community colleges play a crucial role in workforce development across the United States, providing an affordable pathway to further education for all students, including older, low-income, working, parenting, veteran, and first-generation students. Nearly half of all students in the United States completing bachelor’s degrees were enrolled at a two-year public college in the ten years prior. For 123 years, community colleges have contributed to prosperity and economic mobility, and they are vitality important to the economic future of the United States.
Cosponsors of the Senate resolution include Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawai'i), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
“On behalf of the more than 100,000 students enrolled at Massachusetts’ 15 community colleges, we are grateful to Congress for recognizing April as Community College Month,” said Nate Mackinnon, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges. “The mission of community colleges is to provide affordable education for all who seek it and we are proud that we meet this mission while also serving to strengthen the Commonwealth’s economy and provide skilled employees for high demand industries throughout the state.”
###
