Media Advisory: Public Oversight Roundtable By The Committee Of The

Media Advisory: PUBLIC OVERSIGHT ROUNDTABLE BY THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ON IMPLEMENTATION OF AN INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TOMORROW Washington, DC-Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray will convene a public oversight roundtable by the Committee of the Whole on the implementation of an independent community college, Friday, November 20, at 11:30 AM, in Room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building. Various experts in higher education and the labor market will offer information on the costs and benefits of such an institution, and recommendations for ensuring a high quality curriculum that is appropriate to meet the needs of District residents. Particular emphasis will be placed on the findings of a recently-completed study assessing the feasibility of a community college in the District of Columbia. The study was commissioned by DC Appleseed and Greater Washington Research at Brookings, and conducted by JBL Associates, upon the recommendation of Chairman Gray. The study’s final report, “Building a Strong, Independent DC Community College,” is the product of a year-long effort to help facilitate successful implementation. Representatives from the newly-established Community College of the District of Columbia will provide testimony on implementation efforts to date, and the strategic plan for moving forward with continued development and expansion. Witnesses will include Alice Rivlin, Senior Fellow and Director of Greater Washington Research at Brookings; Dr. Jonathan Gueverra, CEO of the Community College of the District of Columbia; John Childers, President of the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area; and Emily Durso, President of the Hotel Association of Washington, DC. “A high quality community college is key to effectively training and preparing District of Columbia residents for jobs in their own city that too often go to people who live outside of the District,” Chairman Gray said. “I look forward to hearing from witnesses who can tell the Council how it can contribute to the efforts underway to improve the skills and higher education of D.C. residents. My colleagues and I have been incredibly supportive of the Community College of the District of Columbia, the University of the District of Columbia, and these institutions’ progress; this hearing will give us new insight into how we collectively can provide the best college education possible for our residents.” Doxie A. McCoy Communications Director Office of Chairman Vincent C. Gray Council of the District of Columbia (202) 724-8164 (202) 664-9862 - cell (202) 724-8085 - fax [email protected]