FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jeff Harris
Senior Manager
Public Affairs and Policy Program Communications
The Aspen Institute
202-736-3848 | jeff.harris@aspeninstitute.org
President Obama’s Proposal for Free Community College
for Students Will Drive Economic Growth and Social Mobility for America
Statement by Josh Wyner, Aspen Institute College Excellence Program
“The President’s proposal represents an immense potential investment in community colleges and in the talent needed to drive economic growth and increase social mobility across the United States. At the same time, the proposal makes clear that states, community colleges, and students themselves must do their part to ensure that the unprecedented access this proposal offers is not hollow — that the 9 million students who stand to benefit from free community college actually learn, graduate, and attain the jobs and further education to which they aspire.”
– Josh Wyner, VP and executive director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program and author What Excellent Community Colleges Do: Preparing All Students for Success (Harvard Education Press)
Editor’s Note: Josh Wyner is available for interview and comment. Please contact Jeff Harris at 202-736-3848 or jeff.harris@aspeninstitute.org to arrange.
The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program aims to advance higher education practices, policies, and leadership that significantly improve student outcomes. Through the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the New College Leadership Project, and other initiatives, the College Excellence Program works to improve colleges’ understanding and capacity to teach and graduate students, especially the growing population of low-income and minority students on American campuses. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org/cep.
###