For immediate release February 4, 2010

Media contact: Hope H. Davis 443-840-5053

MEDIA ADVISORY

Community college students convene in Annapolis
with one voice for Student Advocacy Day

Students tell why MD’s 16 community colleges are
part of the solution in economic hard times

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2010
9:00 a.m. Kickoff Event
Joint Hearing Room in the Legislative Service Building, Annapolis

(Annapolis, MD) – Bus loads of students from Maryland’s 16 community colleges will descend on the state Capitol to urge lawmakers to support the full funding of the community colleges in the Governor’s FY2011 budget. Students will emphasize that community colleges are needed now more than ever to put people back to work, retrain much-needed employees in critical workforce shortage areas, and give high school graduates a quality education that fits immediately within their reach financially.

Representing a wide range of community college populations, students will gather for a college rally and Student Advocacy Day kickoff at 9:00 a.m. in the Joint Hearing Room located in the Legislative Service Building. Highlighting the morning will be addresses by student leaders, Maryland’s elected officials and community college presidents. Following the morning session, students will gather in teams to meet with their respective senators and delegates from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Students will also raise awareness of the important roles played by Maryland’s 16 community colleges, including:

• Approximately 500,000 Marylanders enroll annually in one of Maryland’s 16 community colleges --- 128,000 in credit courses and another 377,000 in non-credit courses or work force training programs to upgrade their employment skills.
• Enrollments at the state’s community colleges have risen sharply since the economic downturn and are expected to continue to increase through the next decade.
• 80 percent of the state’s employment growth is in essential job skills taught at Maryland’s community colleges.
• Community colleges continue to be less than half the cost of tuition at one of Maryland’s four-year public colleges or universities and one-eighth the cost of a private institution.

Approximately 30 students will be traveling from the Community College of Baltimore County to Annapolis to participate in this event. Students will share their personal stories on how the community college has positively impacted their lives as well as advocate lawmakers for their full support.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Nancy S. Gainer, Howard Community College, 410.772.4073; (cell) 443.766.9853
Hope H. Davis, Community College of Baltimore County, 443.840.5053; (cell) 410.971.5560

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CCBC offers hundreds of programs and thousands of courses helping people of all ages, backgrounds and interests earn degrees, transfer, launch or advance careers, and prepare for in-demand jobs. Providing accessible, affordable and high quality education since 1957, CCBC educates nearly 65,000 students each year, including half of all Baltimore County residents attending college in Maryland as undergraduates. Committed to student success and the development of lifelong learners who strengthen our regional work force and enrich our community, CCBC has also been selected to participate in Achieving the Dream, a national student success initiative.

CCBC. The incredible value of education.