Return to All News

Dr. Barbara Gaba Meets with Legislators to Advocate for Community Colleges

02/19/2020 | Media Contact: Erin Mercer | (609) 343-4923
Atlantic Cape Community College President Dr. Barbara Gaba along with Trustee Harrison Furman and Alumni Trustee Ahmet Sahingoz with Congressman Jeff Van Drew

On February 17, 2020, Atlantic Cape County Community College President Dr. Barbara Gaba recently attended the National Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C. to advocate for community colleges. The three-day event brought together more than 1,000 community college leaders and highlighted the importance of the country’s community colleges to Congress and the Administration.

Dr. Gaba was joined by Atlantic Cape Trustee Harrison Furman and Alumni Trustee Ahmet Sahingoz and met with US Senator Bob Menendez and Congressman Jeff Van Drew.

During the summit, attendees heard from members of Congress, political analysts, and featured speakers about legislative issues impacting community colleges. The community college federal legislative priorities this year include investing in education and workforce development and also reauthorizing the Higher Education Act, closely examining Pell Grants and other cost-factors. Enacting the Dream Act, which provides a path to citizenship for undocumented young people including those currently in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, is also a top priority.

The National Legislative Summit is the premier advocacy event in DC and aims to inform and educate community college leaders on federal policy issues that impact their institutions and students.