In July 2019, Opportunity America hosted two Capitol Hill briefings on short, job-focused education and training programs offered by community colleges in partnership with employers – the kind of program that could become eligible for Pell Grant funding under legislation pending in the House and Senate.

On the panel: a community college administrator, a state education official, an employer, a student and a policy expert.

The first briefing, for House staffers, was sponsored by Reps. Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH) and Cedric Richmond (D-LA). It was followed by a second session on the Senate side sponsored by the Senate Career and Technical Education Caucus. Opportunity America president Tamar Jacoby moderated both discussions.

Jason Miller, Ken Garrison, Julie Peller, Lori Dwyer and Steven Partridge

PANELISTS

Lori Dwyer assistant vice chancellor for workforce policy, Virginia Community College System
Ken Garrison executive director, Heavy Construction Contractors Association
Jason Miller heavy equipment operator, S. W. Rodgers Company
Steven Partridge vice president for strategic partnerships and workforce innovation, Northern Virginia Community College
Julie Peller executive director, Higher Learning Advocates