FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FEBRUARY 3, 2016
MEDIA ADVISORY
Cardin in Howard County to Emphasize Importance of Affordable Higher Education
Senator to underscore value of community college programs, president’s plan to provide responsible students tuition-free community college
Friday, February 5 at 10:00 AM, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) will join leadership and students of Howard Community College for a roundtable discussion on college affordability. Senator Cardin will discuss his support for President Obama’s “America’s College Promise” proposal to make community college tuition-free for responsible students. Senator Cardin also will hear directly from students on the challenges they must overcome to pay for their education and the effects mounting debt places on their educational aspirations and occupational choices.
“Maryland’s students and their families shouldn’t have to saddle themselves with generational debt to pursue their educational aspirations. We need to remember that we’ve taught our children that the American dream is achievable for those individuals willing to pursue an education and work hard,” said Senator Cardin. “These students are investing considerable effort and resources to better themselves, and their successes in the classroom will translate over time to resilient regional economies, lower unemployment and an even stronger culture of innovation in Maryland.”
“The cost of college keeps some students from attending or slows their progress toward completion,” said Dr. Kathleen Hetherington, president of Howard Community College. “Community colleges are the most affordable option in higher education, but we need continued support to ensure students graduate from college free from debt.”
“An estimated 9 million students could benefit annually from President Obama’s ‘America’s College Promise’ proposal, which holds the potential to advance American public education. But this should be seen as a first step, not the last one,” said Senator Cardin. “We can and must do more to ensure that the costs of higher education are not such an impediment to such a large number of students and their families. My ongoing conversations on college campuses across our state are helping me develop legislative proposals to make higher education much more affordable and accessible for Marylanders.”
WHAT: Roundtable Discussion on Affordable Higher Education
WHO: U.S. Senator Ben Cardin
Dr. Kate Hetherington, President, Howard Community College
Howard Community College Staff and Students
WHEN: Friday, February 5 at 10:00 AM
WHERE: Rouse Company Foundation Student Services Hall, Room 400, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD
