News Releases
News from Lane Community College
July 14, 2009
SPILDE ATTENDS OBAMA ANNOUNCEMENT PROPOSING A MULTI-BILLION INVESTMENT IN COMMUNITY COLLEGES
Eugene, Ore. - President Mary Spilde attended President Barack Obama's speech today at Macomb Community College in Warren, Michigan, announcing the American Graduation Initiative, an unprecedented federal investment in community colleges for job training programs, online course development, and facilities upgrades.
"This has tremendous historic significance," said Spilde, speaking from Michigan. "This degree of federal investment shows an important recognition of the vital role that community colleges play in economic recovery and growth."
Obama said jobs requiring at least an associate degree are projected to grow twice as fast as jobs requiring no college experience. "We will not fill those jobs, or even keep those jobs here in America, without the training offered by community colleges." He called for community colleges to graduate five million more students by 2020.
His proposal focuses on three objectives:
* workforce training strategies and programs
* online career-oriented courses
* facilities renovation and construction
Spilde said this investment comes at a crucial time as more displaced workers seek retraining for new careers, and high school students seek a quality, affordable start to a college education. Enrollment increased about 13 percent at Lane last year and the college anticipates similar growth again this year.
Lane offers training in many high-demand occupations such as health care and energy management. The college also offers an increasing variety of online instruction. Spilde said Lane's strong partnerships with local agencies and businesses will help the college leverage this new federal investment to the benefit of the local community.
Obama's proposal now moves to Congress.
Spilde is a nationally known expert on workforce development and community college education and currently chairs the American Association of Community Colleges board.
Lane is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.
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Media contact: Joan Aschim, PIO, aschimj@lanecc.edu (541) 463-5591
