Dr. Jill Biden, Second Lady of the United States, knows first-hand the difficulties faced by some community college students. As a professor with more than 20 years of teaching experience in community college classrooms, she has encountered students with heartbreaking and inspirational stories time and time again.
She shared some of those stories with community college leaders at the annual Achieving the Dream National Reform Network conference in Baltimore on Friday. Her address was the final session of the conference and helped highlight the strengths of community colleges.
Biden said she once met a student at her community college through the Women’s Mentoring Project who, as it turned out, arrived at the college only after escaping an abusive relationship and living in a car with her two young children. Her story ended happily—she transferred to a four-year college and obtained a bachelor’s degree in accounting, allowing her to better support her family.
That student’s success, Biden said, is why community colleges are vital.
“That is what community college is all about. Community colleges do not pick and choose their students. We work with all students to help them become who they aspire to be,” Biden said.
Community colleges have the power to almost completely transform students’ lives, she said.
“Many of my students have doubts when they first arrive at college. I’m sure you’ve seen that. They’re unsure of their future, unaware of the possibilities they possess. Then, two years later, those same students proudly accept their diplomas knowing that they have achieved something that no one can ever take away from them,” Biden said.
