FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Sonji Joyner
Communications Manager
Prince George’s Community College
PRINCE GEORGE’S COMMUNITY COLLEGE JOINS #CCMONTH CAMPAIGN TO DRAW ATTENTION TO THE COMMUNITY IN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
LARGO, Md (April 13, 2023) – Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) announced today that it will join #CCMonth, a monthlong grassroots education and stigma-busting campaign coordinated by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT). The primary goals of #CCmonth are to improve awareness of the economic, academic, and equity advantages of attending community colleges and to bust longtime stigmas wrongly associated with public two-year colleges.
“The past year has proved beyond any doubt that our College is absolutely vital to our community and our state,” said President Falecia D. Williams, Ed.D. “#CCMonth is an opportunity to reach out into both and to demonstrate not only that community colleges should be the first choice of many college-goers, but why community colleges are first-class institutions that are vital to our local and state economies.”
Public community colleges are a uniquely American educational model designed to guarantee all people access to affordable, high-quality higher education. They also serve as an onramp to bachelor’s, master’s, and higher-level degrees for many students, particularly those most demographically and socioeconomically diverse. Additionally, community colleges are the primary educators of life-saving nursing careers and other health care professions. They guarantee fair admission for all students and offer support for adults working to support their families. Without community colleges, many American students would not be able to access higher education at all.
In short, community colleges were created to serve the needs of their communities — and they do it exceptionally well.
Despite all this, many American people wrongly believe that community colleges are inferior institutions, and in most states, universities receive significantly more state support per student than community colleges do. These negative attitudes and disparities encourage ongoing socioeconomic and demographic disadvantages and inequities in the United States.
“Community colleges are engines of diversity, equity, and inclusion,” said Jee Hang Lee, ACCT President and CEO. “They give opportunities to all students, and they support all students throughout their educations, whether they attend to attain an associate degree or certificate, intend to transfer on for a bachelor’s or higher degree, or they take one or a few courses to learn a new skill or expand their horizons.”
Last year’s #CCMonth campaign made millions of impressions across social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
About Prince George’s Community College
Named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance designated by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security (2022-2027), Prince George's Community College (PGCC) provides high-quality education and training for the progressive and career-oriented residents of Prince George's County. From new high school graduates and career seekers to more seasoned professionals and senior citizens looking to enhance their skillsets, PGCC is comprised of students who represent a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and goals. Serving nearly 25,000 individuals annually, the College is the first choice for higher education for residents of Prince George's County. Collaborative partnerships, responsive degree and training programs, and a commitment to student success enable PGCC to address diverse education and workforce development demands.
For more information, visit the College website at www.pgcc.edu. Prince George's Community College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104; (267-284-5000); www.msche.org. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.
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