1,500 + STUDENTS TO MARK COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENT DAY

IN AUSTIN FEB 22

Austin, Texas – More than 1,500 Texas community college students will converge on the State Capitol Thursday, February 22 to highlight the essential role of community colleges in education and economic development. Beginning at 9:30 a.m., leaders of the Texas Junior College Student Government Association (TJCSGA) will be joined by state officials speaking from the steps of the Capitol. The event marks the second time that community college students have organized statewide to visit lawmakers.

Wearing ribbons with a slogan saying “Community Colleges are Essential,” the students will stress that it is time for the state legislature to enter into a new compact with community colleges. Figures from the Texas Association of Community Colleges show that the 50 community college districts in Texas provide accessible, affordable, quality higher education to more than 70% of all first-time college students.  Last year, Texas community colleges accounted for $13.47 billion in all annual earnings—the equivalent of 351,530 jobs.  The association wants to safeguard and support the educational opportunities that keep Texans and industries working.

TJCSGA state president Damian Tovar of El Paso Community College explained that students want to make sure their lawmakers are impressed with the role that community colleges play in our state’s economy and economic development. “The support of our elected officials is essential for the 548,000 Texans now attending our community colleges,” he warned, “We will remind our representatives and senators that an investment in our community college students is an investment for Texas’ future.”

Navarro College student Sara Russell, TJCSGA secretary added, “It is important to keep higher education affordable. Many community college students live paycheck to paycheck and struggle to balance school and jobs.  We need state support so students have a better chance of graduating and entering the workforce.”

Brandy Stockam, Panola College SGA President commented, "It is my dream to see the day when a student’s education is no longer inhibited by their financial situation. Support from our legislature can help make the dream of attending college a reality for many, and we hope to find that support during this convention."

Jerry Martinez of Kingwood College, TJCSGA vice president said, “We plan to let our legislators know, as one unified and cohesive body that Texans who attend our community colleges have been critical to our past and will be vital to our future.”

The students will observe the House and Senate in session and visit their individual representatives and senators. The students and their legislative guests will continue their discussions at a lunch hosted by the Texas Association of Community Colleges.

In addition to TJCSGA, participants include students enrolled in community college honors programs around the state, members of the Texas Community College Teachers Association and the Texas Association of Community Colleges. The students will be asked to post their observations and comments about their day in Austin on their online forum at www.tjcsga.org.