Students from Carroll Community College joined hundreds of students from Maryland’s 16 community colleges to meet with lawmakers and to urge them to support community colleges in the FY2010 budget. The students arrived at the Maryland State Capitol on Feb. 11, 2009 to tell lawmakers that community colleges are a good investment especially in tough times.

“I was impressed with the quality of time which members of our local delegation spent with our students,” said College President Dr. Faye Pappalardo, who attended the meetings. “I was also impressed with the caliber of our students and with the remarkable stories they shared.”

Students emphasized that, in economic downturns, more displaced workers and entering college freshmen choose to attend their local community college.

Students gathered for the kickoff of “Student Advocacy Day” event in the Presidential Conference Room of the Miller Senate Office Building. Speakers included key Maryland lawmakers, and community college presidents. After the gathering, students visited their respective delegates and senators.

During their visit, students were seeking to raise awareness of the important roles played by Maryland’s community colleges in higher education. Key messages included that nearly 500,000 Marylanders attend community colleges each year in credit and non-credit programs; more Maryland high school graduates choose community colleges to start their college careers than any other college or university in the state; more than half of all Maryland resident undergraduates are enrolled in community colleges; one in 13 Maryland workers take classes at community colleges in technology, healthcare, world languages and other workforce skills; and 94 percent of community college students remain in Maryland after completing their education.

“Student Advocacy Day was a wonderful opportunity for our students to meet and interact with the entire Carroll County legislative delegation, who all attended. The students were outstanding representatives of the college and its student population,” said Dean of Student Affairs Dr. Michael Kiphart.

Front row, left to right: Dr. Faye Pappalardo, Bonnie Boczek, Stephanie Ducker, Caitlin MacGregor, Abigail Cook. Middle row: John Stieber, Golois Mouelet, Laura Rill, John Farb. Back row: Nguyen La, Barbara Gregory, Loretta Grieves, Dr. James Ball, Dr. Michael Kiphart.

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