FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Courtney Davis
Assistant Director for Public Relations
Prince George’s Community College
daviscl@pgcc.edu
PGCC STUDENTS JOIN ANNUAL STUDENT ADVOCACY DAY
LARGO, Md. (February 21, 2023) – Students from Maryland’s 16 community colleges join today in support of Student Advocacy Day, an annual event sponsored by the Maryland Association of Community Colleges (MACC) that provides a platform for students to meet directly with elected officials to make a case for continued state support of community colleges. Twenty-six Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) students will attend the virtual event.
“SGA and other student leaders look forward to participating in the virtual Student Advocacy Day rally,” said Sadichhya Shahi, president of PGCC’s Student Government Association. “This is an opportunity for students to meet with legislatures to advocate for funding and other legislative priorities that will benefit students.”
For more than 16 years, PGCC has participated in Student Advocacy Day. This year’s key legislative themes include college access, affordability, and improved facilities. Specifically, students will have the opportunity to advocate for strong financial support for community colleges; support for the Governor’s FY24 capital budget; changes to the Community College Promise program; and state reimbursement for tuition waivers.
Student Advocacy Day also includes individual legislator meetings for each college, in which students discuss and make advocacy pitches to legislators. Delegate Kim Taylor, District 23, and Delegate Karen Tooles, District 25, will host 15 PGCC students in Annapolis on March 10.
Support for community colleges is an investment in Maryland’s future workforce. According to MACC, 90% of community college students are Marylanders who remain in-state after graduation. Furthermore, the state’s economy can utilize the rewards of state money invested through a more skilled and productive workforce, thereby increasing the efficiency and profitability of Maryland’s businesses.
For more information about Student Advocacy Day, contact Paulett McIntosh, program director of Student Engagement and Leadership, at mcintopd@pgcc.edu. Learn about Prince George’s Community College here.
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About Prince George’s Community College
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 skill sets, 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.