03.02.16

ADVISORY: Scott, Hinojosa to Host Forum on Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act

WASHINGTON – March 2, 2016, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training, will host a forum on the long overdue reauthorization of the Higher Education Act.

Individuals with higher levels of education are less likely to be unemployed, receive public assistance, work in unskilled jobs with little upward mobility, and become involved in the criminal justice system. An education past the high school level – whether community college, a four year college, vocational training or a trade or apprentice program – is important not only for earnings, but also for landing a good job that can support a worker and their family.

The goal of the Higher Education Act was and is to provide a pathway to the middle class for millions of families around the country by making college affordable and accessible to everyone, not just the elite. In keeping with the original principles of the Higher Education Act, the forum will address issues of accessibility, affordability, and completion. A comprehensive and bipartisan reauthorization of the Higher Education Act will help more families access a quality and affordable higher education.

 

WHO:             

Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and the Workforce 

Rep. Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15), Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training

Panel I

Kati Haycock, CEO, The Education Trust

Veronica Gonzales, Vice President of Governmental and Community Relations, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Dr. Henry Tisdale, President, Claflin University and Chair, Government Affairs Committee, United Negro College Fund (UNCF)

Lindsey Burke, Will Skillman Fellow in Education Policy, The Heritage Foundation

J. Noah Brown, President and CEO, Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT)

Panel II

Jim Grimes, Adjunct Broadcast Instructor, Kankakee Community College & Member, National Education Association (NEA) Board of Directors

Paul Dannenfelser, American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and United Academics of Philadelphia (UAP) Activist and Adjunct Faculty Member

Jen Mishory, Executive Director, Young Invincibles

Maggie Thompson, Executive Director, Generation Progress

Maureen Hoyler, President, Council for Opportunity in Education (COE)

 

WHAT:           

Forum on Reauthorizing the Higher Education Act

 

WHEN:           

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

         2:00 – 4:30 p.m.

WHERE:          

Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2203

 

RSVP:             

Media interested in attending this event should RSVP to Saloni Sharma at saloni.sharma@mail.house.gov

 

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