Chancellor's statement on president's 'American Families Plan' proposal
April 28, 2021 |
Earlier today, President Joe Biden unveiled a sweeping $1.5 trillion proposal that invests in education, child care, and paid leave among other priorities.
The proposal includes $109 billion for two years of free community college, plus additional spending for student financial aid and to fund student retention and completion at institutions that serve low-income students, including community colleges. San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) Chancellor Constance M. Carroll, who was appointed to the College Promise National Advisory Board last May, provides the following statement on the President’s proposal.
“President Biden truly understands the importance of community colleges as a primary engine of America’s economy,” said Chancellor Carroll. “His proposals will strengthen the role of community colleges in general education and in workforce training by providing funding and addressing the realistic needs of students.”
The longest-serving chancellor in the SDCCD’s history, Chancellor Carroll is a recognized leader in the tuition-free Promise movement to ensure that all students who wish to attend college can do so regardless of their financial situation. The SDCCD was among the first in California to launch a Promise program, which began as a pilot with a cohort of 186 students in the 2016-17, has served 4,360 students to date and is now one of the largest in the state. Funded through state support as well as more than $1.8 million in donations, the San Diego Promise provides not only two full years of tuition-free education, but also book grants, academic counseling, and peer mentoring to help students develop an educational plan meeting their career and academic goals.