Barrier busters | President's Message
President's Message
This issue of Lumina Foundation Focus magazine explores a sector of American higher education that is vital and vibrant, yet continues to be misunderstood by many: the nation’s community colleges. | Martha D. Lamkin President and CEO, Lumina Foundation for Education |
In “Barrier busters,” noted education journalist Steve Giegerich takes a close look at two-year institutions, citing their important contributions and exploring in detail the challenges confronting these colleges –- and the millions of students they serve.
You’ll read the story of Rebecca Mathis, a young mother of three who, along with her Haitian-born husband, is studying to be a registered nurse. You’ll learn about Sergio Silva, a native of Mexico who couldn’t speak a word of English when he arrived in Texas as a teenager. Now, just five years later, he is being encouraged by his instructors to pursue a career in scientific research.
You’ll read about Elaine Murphy and Jason Ingles, a mother and son
in Virginia’s coal country, who are attending college together to build better lives.
These real-life stories –- supported by information and insights from noted researchers, educators and experts across the nation – put community colleges in the spotlight.
And that is right where the nation’s two-year institutions belong in any discussion about the future of American higher education. These colleges educate nearly half of the nation’s undergraduates, including high proportions of underserved students.
At Lumina Foundation, we are committed to increasing student access and success in education beyond high school. Clearly, community colleges play a vital role in that effort –- a role that promises to grow in importance in coming years.
That’s why Lumina Foundation has made a long-term and very substantial commitment to an important national initiative: Achieving the Dream: Community Colleges Count. This issue of Lumina Foundation Focus includes a wealth of information about Achieving the Dream, as well as a brief listing of other efforts to assist the nation’s two-year institutions.
This issue of the magazine also features readers’ reactions to the previous issue, captured in the letters on the preceding pages. Such feedback is vital to us at the Foundation, and I welcome your reaction to this issue as well –- just as I welcome your help in the important work of enhancing college access and success.
You’ll read the story of Rebecca Mathis, a young mother of three who, along with her Haitian-born husband, is studying to be a registered nurse. You’ll learn about Sergio Silva, a native of Mexico who couldn’t speak a word of English when he arrived in Texas as a teenager. Now, just five years later, he is being encouraged by his instructors to pursue a career in scientific research.
You’ll read about Elaine Murphy and Jason Ingles, a mother and son
in Virginia’s coal country, who are attending college together to build better lives.
These real-life stories –- supported by information and insights from noted researchers, educators and experts across the nation – put community colleges in the spotlight.
And that is right where the nation’s two-year institutions belong in any discussion about the future of American higher education. These colleges educate nearly half of the nation’s undergraduates, including high proportions of underserved students.
At Lumina Foundation, we are committed to increasing student access and success in education beyond high school. Clearly, community colleges play a vital role in that effort –- a role that promises to grow in importance in coming years.
That’s why Lumina Foundation has made a long-term and very substantial commitment to an important national initiative: Achieving the Dream: Community Colleges Count. This issue of Lumina Foundation Focus includes a wealth of information about Achieving the Dream, as well as a brief listing of other efforts to assist the nation’s two-year institutions.
This issue of the magazine also features readers’ reactions to the previous issue, captured in the letters on the preceding pages. Such feedback is vital to us at the Foundation, and I welcome your reaction to this issue as well –- just as I welcome your help in the important work of enhancing college access and success.
