Thinking & AdvocacyOn Wednesday, President Joe Biden released his infrastructure proposal — the American Jobs Plan — which includes $12 billion in investments at community colleges, $100 billion in workforce development and job retraining, and other investments critical to community colleges like modernizing childcare facilities and expanding high-speed broadband. Achieving the Dream President and CEO Dr. Karen A. Stout released the following statement on the plan:
“The investments President Biden has laid out in the American Jobs Plan are critical for community colleges and the students and communities they serve. Over the past year, we have seen firsthand how the pandemic has disproportionately impacted students of color and low-income students. Investing in community college infrastructure — both through physical and technological means — will help students, faculty, and staff in many ways, from having the facilities and state-of-the-art equipment necessary to train workers for the jobs of the future to making sure everyone has access to reliable, high-speed internet. Other parts of the plan, including upgrading childcare facilities, expanding access to childcare, and investing in family caregivers, could also provide much-needed relief for the millions of community college students who are often also parents or have other caregiver responsibilities. Finally, the president’s workforce development plans to set students on career pathways before graduating high school will emphasize building capacity so that our community colleges are providing skilled workers with jobs that are in demand. Achieving the Dream believes that community colleges are essential drivers of economic mobility and equitable communities. These investments will further their ability to serve their communities.”