Impact of re-election on higher education

Staff Editorial

Another election year finally is in the books, and what a relief that is. No more debates, no more negative attack ads, no more corny slogans and chants. Well, unless you are into that kind of thing.
With this year’s election coming to an end and Barack Obama being crowned victor, many Americans begin to look toward the future and what changes might come to pass. Depending on who you voted for, the future may look very bleak or very bright, but nevertheless, the doubts for a typical college student remain the same. What school should I transfer to or attend? What should my major be? More important, though, many times the biggest question probably is how will I pay for college?

For many college students, the opportunity of earning a degree opens a door for them that may never have seemed possible, or that may be foreign to every member of that family. In these cases, money is a big issue and the motivation to succeed might sometimes be overpowered by one’s lack of ability to pay the steep price of an education.

With all of that in mind, let’s have a look at what President Obama plans to do to put the restless minds of college students at ease.

As the president makes plans for his second term, one of his biggest areas of focus is on education. In a speech at Nashua Community College in Nashua, N.H., the president spoke about how he believes community colleges can serve as an economic remedy.

The president spoke about the training and skills that can be obtained from community colleges that often are not offered at many four-year institutions. He also spoke about how often, community colleges do not receive proper funding. He urged the governors of each state to not cut funding, stating that that is where the problem originates.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the Obama administration also announced $500 million in community college grants to expand job training through local employer partnerships.

The president also placed responsibility upon students, urging all to complete at least one year of higher education.

“To power a nation from coast to coast, to touch the moon, to connect the entire world with our own science and imagination,” Obama said.

Love him or hate him, the president looks to have placed much emphasis on the need for higher education and believes that community colleges are a huge part of making that priority a reality.