Penn IUR Hosts a Panel Discussion on Free Community College Tuition

PHILADELPHIA, PA —Should community colleges be tuition free? A panel conversation among education policymakers, leaders, and researchers will explore the benefits of tuition-free community college and the issues that need to be considered if this approach is to successfully improve access to and affordability of higher education. “Community Colleges: Who Should Pay?” will take place October 12 from 11:00 am to noon ET; attendance is free but registration is required.

“Community colleges play an incredibly important role in providing the education and training needed for jobs,” says Laura Perna, Vice Provost for Faculty, GSE Centennial Presidential Professor of Education, and Penn IUR Faculty Fellow. “Importantly, making community college free would help bring more low-income students and students of color into higher education, a place they’ve traditionally been excluded from.”

Speakers will share insights from tuition-free community college initiatives that have been developed by the State of New Jersey and in other states and communities across the nation, as well as President Biden’s tuition-free proposal. “It isn’t the only way to increase college access and affordability,” says Edward Smith, Education Program Officer, The Kresge Foundation, speaking about Biden’s Free College Plan. “But it’s bold, it’s on the table, and Congress should act on it.”

The panel conversation will explore the potential benefits of tuition-free community college and why the focus is on community colleges in particular. Panelists will also consider issues that need to be considered if tuition-free community college is to successfully improve access and affordability, especially for students from historically underserved groups.

Panelists include practitioners, researchers, and policymakers:

• Zakiya Smith Ellis, Chief Policy Advisor, New Jersey Governor Phil D. Murphy,
• Mike Flores, Chancellor, Alamo Colleges District, San Antonio Texas;
• Martha Kanter, CEO, College Promise; and
• Edward Smith, Education Program Officer, The Kresge Foundation.

Laura Perna, Vice Provost for Faculty, GSE Centennial Presidential Professor of Education, and Penn IUR Faculty Fellow, will moderate.

Sponsored by the Penn Institute for Urban Research (Penn IUR), this is the first event in series exploring the future of education in America. Penn IUR is a university-wide body that informs urban decision-making and public policy on issues of sustainable and inclusive urban growth and development based on multi-disciplinary research, instruction, and outreach. Affiliated with all 12 schools of the University of Pennsylvania and with the world of practice, Penn IUR fosters collaboration among scholars and policymakers across disciplines to address the needs of an increasingly urbanized society. Visit penniur.upenn.edu to learn more.

Media contact:

Cara Griffin
Publications & Communications Director
307-760-2016
cgriffin@upenn.edu