U.S. Rep. Jim Himes announced today that David L. Levinson of Westport, president of Norwalk Community College (NCC), will be his guest at President Obama’s State of the Union address on Tuesday.
David Levinson: applauds Obama proposal. Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
During an event today at NCC, Himes and Levinson voiced support for Obama’s new proposal to make the first two years of community college free for qualifying students.
“Dr. Levinson is one of Connecticut’s leading advocates for making college more affordable and accessible for all Americans, and I&##8217;m honored to have him join me at this year’s State of the Union address,” Himes said.
“America’s economic success and the strength of our middle class depend on a well-educated and well-trained workforce. If we want our nation to remain competitive, we must make college – including community colleges and vocational schools – more affordable.
“With Connecticut residents facing some of the highest student debt loads in America, Norwalk Community College is taking innovative steps to maintain and improve quality, while slowing cost hikes.”
Levinson said, “President Obama’s visionary proposal could be a game-changer. Free tuition for community college grads will yield a bountiful return on the investment and be good for the economy the workforce and the nation.”
He added, “Community college graduates are poised to fill immediate workforce needs and they become taxpayers.”
Levinson is also vice president for the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities at the Board of Regents for Higher Education.
