On his official campaign website in 2008, Barack Obama stated:
"Community colleges are a vital component of our higher education system, serving 12 million people each year, almost half of the undergraduate students in the U.S. Without community colleges, millions of people would not be able to access the education and skills they need to further education or succeed in the workplace."
President Obama continues to support community colleges throughout his administration. See below for documentation on the Obama administration's relationship with community colleges.
June 18, 2009
On June 18, 2009, at the Democratic Leadership Council, Rahm Emanuel, the White House chief of staff, stated that the Obama administration will propose that funding be redirected to support their goal of obtaining five million more workers through the community college system than might otherwise be the case in the next 10 years. Emanuel stated:
"What's been forgotten is how important our community college system is to the economy. As a competitive advantage for the United States, the community college system is essential, and the administration is intent on boosting funding for growth of the system."
- Click here to view the full article, from the Democratic Leadership Council
- Click here to hear Emanuel's full remarks.
June 4, 2009
On Friday, May 8, 2009, President Obama mentioned the importance of community colleges in his remarks on job creation and job training. He invited Dr. Jill Biden to lead an effort to increase the nation's awareness of community colleges, stating:
"...Many may take advantage of one of America's underappreciated assets -- and that's our community colleges. These schools offer practical education and technical training, and they're increasingly important centers of learning where Americans can prepare for the jobs of the future.
And that's also why I'm asking Dr. Jill Biden, a community college professor who's devoted her entire life to education -- and who happens to be married to the Vice President -- to lead a national effort to raise awareness about what we're doing to open the doors to our community colleges.
So I think this is one more piece of the puzzle. It's a good start. It is only a start, though. These steps are just a short-term down payment on our larger goal of ensuring that all Americans get the skills and education they need to succeed in today's economy. And to that end, I have asked once again every American to commit to at least one year or more of higher education or career training. It can be community college or a four-year school; vocational training or an apprenticeship; but whatever the training may be, every American will need to get more than a high school diploma. And we will be backing up that effort with the support necessary. And we will ensure that by 2020, America will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world.
June 3, 2009
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced the Department of Education's plans to launch a $7 million special competitive grant program. The program seeks to begin training to prepare the unemployed population, such as laid-off autoworkers, for a second career.
The grants will provide initial funds for community colleges and other organizations which help adults develop new career skills and will provide services such as tutoring and academic/career counseling.
The Department of Education will take applications immediately and plans to award 28 grants by mid-September, 2009.
Presidential Campaign
During his Presidential campaign, President Obama supported higher education and community colleges, visiting the following community colleges while campaigning:
- Bellevue Community College, Seattle, WA
- Brevard Community College, Brevard County, FL
- Butler County Community College, El Dorado, IA
- Clinton Community College, Clinton, IA
- Community College of Beaver County, Monaca, PA
- Danville Area Community College, Danville, IL
- Des Moines Area Community College, Anken, IA
- Fayetteville Technical Community College, Fayetteville, NC
- Hocking College, Nelsonville, OH
- Iowa Central Community College, Fort Dodge, IA
- Iowa Lakes Community College, Emmetsburg, IA
- Iowa Western Community College, Council Bluffs, IA
- John Tyler CC, Chester, VA
- Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, IA
- Lehigh Carbon Community College, Schnecksville, PA
- Lewis and Clark Community College, Decatur, IL
- Macomb Community College Warren, Mich
- Marshalltown Community College, Marshalltown, IA
- Montgomery County Community College, Blue Bell, PA
- Mott Community College Flint, MI
- Northcentral Technical College, Wausau, WI
- Northeast Iowa Community College, Calmar & Peosta, IA campuses
- Patrick Henry Community College, Martinsville, Virginia
- Palm Beach Community College, Lake Worth, FL
- Richland Community College, Dallas, TX
- Santa Barbara Community College, Santa Barbara, CA
- Santa Fe Community College, Santa Fe, NM
- Southeastern Community College (West Burlington campus), Burlington, IA
- Wayne County Community College, Wayne, MI