Welcome. Orning and the subcommittee on Higher Education and workforce investment will come to order. We are happy you are here. I know a quorum is present. I want to ask can sense they be permitted to participate in todays hearing with the understanding your questions will come after all members have completed their questions. The committee is eating to hear testimony on engines of economic mobility. The Critical Role of Community Colleges, historically lacked minorities serving and institutions preparing students for success. ,ursuant to Committee RulesOpening Statements are limited to the chair in the Ranking Member and this allows us to hear from our witnesses sooner and provide all members with adequate time to ask questions. I recognize myself now for the purpose of making an opening statement. We will examine the Critical Role of historically black colleges and universities, Tribal Colleges and universities, and committee colleges in providing low income students and students of color with a quality Higher Education. Our first three bipartisan hearings have so clearly demonstrated that a College Degree remains the surest path to Financial Stability for americans across the country. This is true for low income students and students of color whose educational and workforce opportunities have historically been limited by intergenerational poverty and systemic racism. In fact, studies show that students with parents and the bottom quintile of Income Distribution can double their chances of moving up the income ladder if they obtain a degree. Data released this morning reveals a 50 percentage point gap between low income students and their wealthy peers. We have much work to do. Hbcus, Tribal Colleges and universities, hispanic institutions and Community Colleges continue to do this work and demonstrate their commitment and ability to provide the students with the benefits that come with a quality education. Founded for the specific purpose of educating black students because other institutions would up, hbcus continue to live to their mission of providing a community where black students can thrive. Hbcus makeup less than 3 of colleges and universities, yet they produce almost 20 of all black graduates. Tribal colleges and universities where were developed as part of a political and social movement to regain tribal economy and combat centuries of forced assimilation and distraction of naval of tribal communities. There are more than 230 federally registered tribes operating colleges. Hispanic serving institutions educate more than three out of five undergraduate latino students and one quarter of all undergraduate students. Among fouryear institutions, hispanics propel they propel students to [indiscernible] that of predominantly white institutions. They can act as cultural hubs for latino students, many of whom earn their degree and return to work in their own communities. These institutions are effective engines of economic mobility because they meet students where they are and are dedicated to educating the whole person. Theirand tu foundational missions, honoring ancestors, sustaining traditions, and engaging all signaling to students that they belong in college. Many other institutions such as asianamerican and native american, Pacific Islander serving institutions and black institutions also serve loan come students and students of color. They are forced to do more with less. Designated as a minority serving institution, colleges must not only enroll a substantial number of students of color, but it must also enroll a substantial number of Health Students and have fewer resources than appearance to twos and. In my own state, the california state diversity system is a model for how minority serving institutions can help students overcome barriers to Higher Education. Reflecting the population of the state, more than half of csu students are people of color when and one in three stints are the first in their family to attend college and more than half of all students receive pell grants. Atmunity college also play crucial role in providing Higher Education to lowincome students and students of color. These twoyear colleges often provide a local and affordable option for students who are priced out of fouryear institutions. In fact, Community Colleges and rolled one in three black students and nearly half of latino, Asian American, and Pacific Islander and firstgeneration students. More than one third of low income students attend Community Colleges. The great work being done across tcusuntry by hbcus and and Community Colleges is unfortunately hampered by deeply inadequate funding. Persistent and systemic underfunding of hbcus has been extensively documented. The federal government has never fully fulfilled its obligation to support native students in and tcus. Less than half [inaudible] have received a grant and the average Community College receives half the amount of per student funding received by fouryear colleges. With this funding and equities, we must ask ourselves how are these institutions Still Producing such strong results . How is that . As our witnesses will highlight, we empowerest, hundreds of thousands of students each year with the most powerful tool available to achieve success, a College Degree. Lastly, as we honor the 65th honor anniversary of brown v board and wrestle with a promise unfulfilled it becomes evident that we spend more money to educate wealthy College Students and students who are underserved by our Education System. Depriving the institutions that serve our most vulnerable College Students and the resources made available to predominantly white for your anniversaries is contrary to our values in the best interest as a nation. Congress has a as we work toward the reauthorization of Higher Education policy, we must understand critical work that these institutions are doing to address the specific needs of todays students and invest in these initiatives. Thank you president barrett and mchatton, and chancellors for being with us today. No we will go to the Ranking Member for his Opening Statements. Rep. Smucker thank you, madam chair. We are all here today because we believe that every american should have the opportunity to pursue those secondary educations. And we know doors are opened by a College Degree. We understand the importance of making this kind of opportunity achievable for everyone in our country. Higher education can help set individuals on the right path to achieve the american dream. While it is not the only pathway to the sustaining job, it provides many with the opportunity to get their foot in the door to lifelong career. As a result of the economic policies that we put in place, the good news is that todays graduates are entering a booming job market. Over 7 million jobs opening and 6. 7 million unemployed. I am proud of the opportunities the Economic Growth will create for the next generation and believe that if we give students access those that are willing to work hard and make good decisions, they will have an excellent opportunity to succeed. Access is a critical piece of the pie. Higher education should be accessible and obtainable regardless of circumstance, which is why the federal government has made it a clear priority to ensure low income and firstgeneration students have the tools that they need to prepare for Postsecondary Education commitments and manage the cost associated with earning a degree. As we continue to consider what must be done in any reauthorization of higher of the Higher Education act, we have the opportunity to ensure that restructuring and innovation of the system, provides all students the access to opportunities that offer those pathways to success, both inside and outside of the conventional classroom. It can mean alternative pathways to a fouryear degree such as offering programs to teach and demand skills so that students can see the courses they need for a job and opportunities later in life. For any of these changes to take place, we must recognize that money is an important part of the conversation and institutions need to be willing to take responsibility for the outcomes of the students. A billionaire gifted an entire graduating class with paying off student debt. It is a great example of one persons capacity for excellence and generosity. It also illustrates something usually forgotten. That nothing is free and someone always pays the price. This means that congress and other institutions need to step up to the plate and do all that we can respectfully to make Higher Education an investment that does not cost more and that is true for students and taxpayers who are investing. In promoting real success and prosperity through education reform, the comprehensive proposal to reauthorize the ata in the last congress, republicans included reforms that allowed students greater access to federal student aid, promoted earn and learn programs, increased flexibility in spending institutional aid and reforming the federal Work Study Program to better prepare students for future employment in their chosen field. These bold ideas for affordable and accessible post secondary education recognize that for too long, the federal government has complied with a myopic view of what post secondary education is and why people pursue any kind of Higher Education. We must recognize that Postsecondary Education needs to work for students and not the other way around. This committee should continue to consider these reforms top prior as we discussed the policy changes that could be included in that reauthorization of the ata. We need to be striving on both sides of the aisle for new ideas that will increase opportunities for all American Students regardless of circumstance to support their efforts to succeed and prosper. Rep. Davis thank you. With that objection, although insert into the record can do so by submitting them to the clerk electronically. I would not reduce our witnesses. Will now introduce our witnesses. The sixth president and leader of Xavier University of louisiana. Historically black college and university. Before his presidency in 2015, dr. Verret served at Savannah State university he received his undergraduate degree in biochemistry from columbia university. He has served in a variety of leadership positions including dean of the college of education, department chair. He earned a phd from the university of south florida. And an emphasis in special education and urban education. Mchatton is now the longest sitting chancellor and the history of virginias Community Colleges, hired in 2001. She has led the system of 23 colleges and 40 campuses with two successful strategic plans. And tripled in the number of credentials put into virginias economy. She earned her phd in Higher Education administration, research and policy from the university of massachusetts. She has a master degree from Eastern Kentucky university and a bachelors degree from Florida Atlantic university and an associate of science degree from the State University of new york in farmingdale. Dubois is president of he earned his phd in Higher Education administration, research and policy from the university of massachusetts. He has a masters degree from Eastern Kentucky university and a bachelors degree from Florida Atlantic university and an associate of science degree from the State University of new york in farmingdale. Dr. Sandra is a president of college, Tribal College and university located in montana. She has more than two decades of experience working in Higher Education both in montana and california. She is an enrolled member at the indian reservation. She earned her doctorate in education in Educational Leadership from the university of montana holds a masters of , education from montana State University and a bachelor of arts and sociology from the university of montana. Again welcome to you all. , we appreciate you all being we appreciate all the witnesses for being here, all of you being here, and we look forward to your testimony. I just want to remind you that we have read your written statements and they will appear in the full hearing record. The Committee Rule 17 in committee practice, each of you is asked to limit your oral presentation to a five minute summary of your written statement. I also wanted to remind you that pursuant to u. S. Code section 2001, it is illegal to falsify any statement or material fact presented to congress or otherwise conceal or cover up material fact. Before you begin your testimony, please remember to press the button on the microphone in front of you so that it will turn on and we can all hear you. As you begin to speak, the light in front of you will turn green. After four minutes, the light will turn yellow. Signaling you have one remaining minute. And when the light turns red, five minutes has expired and we will ask you to please wrap up. We will let the entire panel make their presentations before we move on to member questions. Please remember to again turn your microphone on. The first to recognize is doctor verret. Mr. Verret thank you. Chairwoman davis, Ranking Member subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to address you. I serve as its sixth president of the university of louisiana. It was founded by katherine drexel. My institution is catholic and also hpcu. A historically black college. The purpose of xavier is to contribute to the justice and humane society, this takes place in environments that incorporate all relevant learning means including Research Experiences , and community service. I was asked to testify before the subcommittee today on the institution as an engine of the economic mobility and programs that demonstrate this at the institution, programs that prepare students for careers and historicallyry of black colleges, why they are informed. They were created to provide education noted for their , contributions, satisfying the code of requirements and definition by the Higher Education act. In my home state of louisiana, according to an Economic Impact study by the uscf college fund, the impact of the historical black colleges on our economy, and employment impact of 923 million. A lifetime earning of 9. 4 billion. Xavier specifically, its regional impact is known impact of 135 million. Labor income impact of 95 million. Employment impact of 1715 jobs. Xavier is considered to be one of the best value to schools in the nation for quality education according to the u. S. News , world report. However, as students come close r to realizing their dreams of Higher Education, the more expensive these goals become. Year. N is 22,000 per this is considerably lower than its peer institutions. More than 93 of the graduates qualifye undergraduates for needbased or other forms of Financial Aid. More than 65 receive federal pell grants. We are grateful for your bipartisan support. The katrina loan to help us recover from the disaster. Leads in preparing africanamerican physicians in the nation, and also sending africanamerican phds and sciences. We are preparing students for a changing workforce. We are launching 14 new highquality programs. And the only physician assistants Masters Program in the state of louisiana. We believe that all children deserve Great Teachers. Thus, we are also engaged in preparing highly qualified teachers for primary and secondary schools. The extension of the program of has allowed us to meet the needs of students and to be globally competitive. And to meet the needs of our national workforce. Debris Student Academic Success Office provides the support system for all students and being successful. A Foundation Grant has allowed us to focus on creating Career Pathways and our faculty raises successful students, a tradition as xavier. I am happy that the fiscal year 2020, labor hhs appropriation bill has provided a much needed increase in funding for the hpcu. The hpcu comm