In an op-ed appearing in several newspapers around the country,
MetLife Foundation President Sibyl Jacobson and JFF President Marlene
B. Seltzer note the centrality of community colleges in strategies to
reduce poverty and expand economic opportunity. However, Jacobson and
Seltzer explain, these colleges need more equitable and generous
funding from state and local governments. Also, federal student aid
should be more readily available to working adults who attend school
part-time. Third, federal welfare and workforce laws should promote
community college enrollment, not make it more difficult. Finally, all
colleges need support from their local businesses, community
organizations, and government.
