CCCIE Presidents Speak Out on Serving Immigrant Students

CCCIE members represent the vanguard in immigrant education programs and services and are committed to enhancing educational opportunities for immigrant students. Both their words and actions illustrate the critical role of community colleges in serving immigrant students:

“As community colleges, a key part of our mission is to educate those who may not have the means to otherwise improve their lives. This includes those who are new to this country and others who cannot afford four-year institutions. By researching new approaches to immigrant education, we will be better able to serve this population, and will help other institutions do the same.”
--Joseph N. Hankin
President, Westchester Community College
(At launch of Capital Campaign for the Gateway Center of Westchester Community College)

"CCCIE is important to NOVA because we serve enormous numbers of immigrants from all over the world. In Fall 2008, approximately 20% of our students were born outside the United States. Immigrants have fueled the record population growth in Northern Virginia and are a primary reason why our economy has remained relatively strong in comparison to other regions of the United States. Many of these immigrants look to NOVA as their gateway to the American dream."
--Robert G. Templin, Jr.
President, Northern Virginia Community College

“Community colleges are increasingly pivotal in America’s role in globalization, and the integration of immigrants into the American society and economy.”
--Dr. Gail Mellow
President, LaGuardia Community College
(From Minding the Dream: The Process and Practice of the American Community College)

“The voice, reason, and wisdom of higher education leadership should be guiding the immigration conversation, and inspiring positive approaches that guarantee a highly educated population. Our futures depend on it.” Read more.
--Roy Flores
Chancellor, Pima Community College
(From “The New Face of America: Hispanics, Immigration, and Higher Education,” The
Presidency)

CCCIE Presidents Thank AACC President and CEO George Boggs

CCCIE college presidents thank Dr. George Boggs, President and CEO, American Association of Community Colleges, for AACC’s strong support of CCCIE’s mission and urge continued support for CCCIE initiatives. Click here to read the letter to AACC from Blue Ribbon Panel college presidents.