I Owe It All to Community College: Tom Hanks on His Two Years at Chabot College

“President Obama hopes to make two years of free community college accessible for up to nine million Americans. I’m guessing the new Congress will squawk at the $60 billion price tag, but I hope the idea sticks, because more veterans, from Iraq and Afghanistan this time, as well as another generation of mothers, single parents and workers who have been out of the job market, need lower obstacles between now and the next chapter of their lives. High school graduates without the finances for a higher education can postpone taking on big loans and maybe luck into the class that will redefine their life’s work. Many lives will be changed.”

New York Times Op-Ed: January 14, 2015  http://nyti.ms/1C5I3kM

“The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities applauds President Obama’s endorsement of the Tennessee plan as model for the nation to offer a free community college education for all eligible high school graduates. Investing in this initiative would strengthen the country’s workforce and increase opportunities for underrepresented populations to seek a college education. Hispanics would particularly benefit from such initiative as a majority of those in college attend community colleges.”

Statement of Antonio R. Flores, President and CEO, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.

Obama’s Free College Proposal Could Be ‘Game Changer’ For State’s Students

“If Congress is able to pass this important proposal to increase access to higher education, we will implement it….Increasing access to Connecticut’s community college programs will benefit all our citizens by attracting new employers and matching graduates with good jobs.”

CT Governor Dannel Malloy from Hartford Courant, January 12, 2015