Austin Community College District (ACC) Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) on Wednesday, May 21. The hearing, “The State of Higher Education,” focused on the challenges facing college students and institutions.
Ranking Member Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) invited Dr. Lowery-Hart to speak on behalf of more than 10 million community college students across the country. The testimony comes as Congress considers changes to federal education funding, including potential adjustments to the Pell Grant and workforce training eligibility.
Dr. Lowery-Hart emphasized the importance of federal programs such as Pell Grants and the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) initiative in helping students complete their education.
“Community colleges, like ACC, glue employers and communities together so that every neighbor and community wins,” said Dr. Lowery-Hart. “Our average student, who we named Ashely, is smart. She is capable and ambitious, but she is not the average college student we often think about when we are making policy decisions. She is a 27-year-old mother, working two part-time jobs and responsible for a kid and family member. She is first generation and faces significant financial pressure. Her success is built on important programs, such as free tuition, Pell Grants, and Child Care Access Means Parents in School. All these supports help Ashley and ensure she is able to overcome the significant life barriers that get in her way.”
Dr. Lowery-Hart discussed ACC’s Free Tuition Pilot Program, which offers first-dollar coverage to graduating high school seniors. He said the program has contributed to increases in both enrollment and retention. During the hearing, he responded to questions from multiple senators on issues related to affordability, institutional costs, and workforce pathways.
Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) asked about the rising cost of college. Dr. Lowery-Hart responded:
“In the community college sector, there hasn’t been a massive skyrocket rising in prices. At Austin Community College, we haven’t raised tuition in 12 years. I think we raised it once in 15 years. We are the sector of higher education that lives within our means because our students are so price sensitive. There could be a lot to learn from how community colleges effectively manage their budgets.”
Senator Tuberville replied, “I agree with that. You do a good job and I think more kids need to go to community colleges.”
Senator Sanders asked about the impact of ACC’s Free Tuition Pilot Program.
“It has been transformative for the families we serve,” Dr. Lowery-Hart said. “The return on investment on this is undeniable. Every economist will tell you that education attainment is the biggest predictor of which communities are going to succeed or fail. Right now in Austin, we are importing talent from all over the globe and we need to be investing in our own local students and the Free Tuition Program is helping us do that.”
Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) asked about the potential cost savings for students starting at community colleges.
“They all saved money starting at a community college. The data is clear. Community college students who transfer to universities perform at or better than students who originated at those universities. Comp 1 and Calc 1 are the same. The difference at community college — they are being taught by a Master’s or Ph.D.-prepared teacher, not a graduate assistant. Dual enrollment piece is really critical. It can be a solution for making college more affordable. The challenge is for the millions of adults who need to come back and upskill, and how they can do that while still working is why I think Pell eligibility is particularly important.”
Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) asked about expanding Pell Grant access to short-term workforce training programs.
“My typical student is Ashley. […] She needs that additional support to get a level 1 certificate that could be 15 hours and take her six months to do. But there is a family-sustaining wage waiting for her on the other side of it that would change the path for her entire family and for generations that follow. I would say she deserves our advocacy, she deserves to be seen, and cared for on the same level that my colleagues’ students deserve, but she is often misunderstood and ignored.”
Representatives from Tuskegee University, Taylor University, the Student Borrower Protection Center, and the Cato Institute were also panelists at the hearing.
Dr. Lowery-Hart was joined in Washington, DC, by ACC Board of Trustees Chair, Sean Hassan.
“I went to college on a Pell Grant and the personal impact was front of mind for me,” said Hassan. “It is both personal and a thrill to do this in my role as the chair. It is thrilling to be asked to represent community colleges across the country. In large part due to the work we did on Free Tuition. It was wonderful to see it all come together.”
Following the hearing, Dr. Lowery-Hart met with staff from Texas Senator John Cornyn and U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett’s offices to discuss continued support for Texas students.
To watch the full hearing, click here.
For more information on the Free Tuition Pilot Program, visit austincc.edu/freetuition.