The Future of Higher Education Symposium - Serving Students in Need

Texas Association of Community Colleges CEO Jacob Fraire and Prairie View A&M President Ruth Simmons lay out what is at stake for Texas if the most vulnerable students attending college are unable to stay on track to graduate because of the pandemic. In short, Simmons says, it's everything. The two leaders spoke with Sara Hebel, co-founder and executive editor of Open Campus, about the changes they’ve made to help struggling students stay in school, from more emergency aid and deadline extensions to mental health counseling and extra communication. And still, Texas community colleges experienced a nearly 10% decline in students this fall compared to last year.

They emphasized that strong state leadership is crucial and that lawmakers need to encourage higher education and workforce leaders to work together to make sure a generation of Texans do not fall behind. They suggested improving broadband access and stressed the importance of allowing vulnerable students to remain on campus to take advantage of support they may not have access to at home. Simmons and Fraire expressed worry that the pandemic could wipe out progress the state has made to improve the outcomes of low income students without continued support for higher education from the state. — Kate McGee

This session is supported by Bank of America, Trellis Foundation, Philanthropy Advocates and Educate Texas. Media support is provided by Open Campus.

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