The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation announced it is giving $35 million to boost community college graduation rates which is seen as a direct benefit to minority communities. Approximately 17 percent of all students in community college are Hispanic and 14 percent are African American.
The program called “Completion by Design” will allocate grants to community colleges that have plans to reach out to low-income students. The announcement was made in conjunction with President Barack Obama’s speech yesterday emphasizing the important role community colleges have in preparing the future work forces of America and the critical role they play with today’s job market. The White House will also hold a ‘Summit on Community Colleges’ today lead by Dr. Jill Biden, the Vice President’s wife who is a community college educator.
