Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart to spotlight the vital role of community colleges in building America’s skilled workforce and the critical need to invest in our students.

Austin Community College District (ACC) Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart will testify before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) during its upcoming hearing, “The State of Higher Education.”

Dr. Lowery-Hart will speak on behalf of community colleges nationwide, highlighting their critical role in closing workforce gaps, expanding access to higher education, and supporting students through programs like Pell Grants and the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) initiative.

The State of Higher Education Hearing

Date: Wednesday, May 21
Time: 9 a.m. CT / 10 a.m. ET
Livestream: https://www.help.senate.gov/hearings/the-state-of-higher-education-2025

As the leader of one of the largest community college systems in Texas, Dr. Lowery-Hart will share how institutions like ACC are transforming lives and powering local economies. His remarks will focus on:

• Who community college students are, including working parents, first-generation students, and career changers.
• Why federal support matters, including programs like Pell Grants and CCAMPIS that help remove barriers to college completion.
• How community colleges educate the nation’s workforce, preparing students for in-demand skilled trades and high-growth industries.

He will be joined by four other leaders, including the President of Tuskegee University and a research fellow from the Cato Institute. Dr. Lowery-Hart will represent the more than 10 million students attending community colleges each year, many of whom balance jobs, parenting, and financial challenges on their path to a better future. ACC serves more than 74,000 students annually, offering degrees and certificates in high-demand fields that align with regional workforce needs.

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Tags: ACC Chancellor, and Pensions, Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, Education, Labor, Senate Hearing, U.S. Senate, U.S. Senate Committee on Health