NM Congresswoman Discusses Free Tuition with CCC President

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Clovis Community College 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
PRESS RELEASE 
Contact: Kolby Rains, Director of Institutional Advancement 
575-769-4131 
Clovis Community College  
417 Schepps Blvd.  
Clovis, NM 88101 
www.clovis.edu NM

Congresswoman Discusses Free Tuition with CCC President 
A New Mexico congressional legislator met with Clovis Community College President, Dr. Charles Nwankwo via Zoom on Wednesday afternoon, May 5, 2021 to discuss free community college tuition and child care for students and other issues. 
Serving New Mexico’s 3rd Congressional District, U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández told Dr. Nwankwo that she was “checking in with the constituents in her congressional district,” especially area community college presidents. Community colleges, she said, serve as “anchors in a community” for economic development, educational opportunities, and cultural arts. 

One of the bills that Leger Fernández recently co-sponsored was H.R. 1911 Child Care is Infrastructure Act, which supports campus-based child care for low-income parents enrolled in institutions of higher education; and it also establishes grants for renovations or modifications to child care facilities and higher education loan repayment and scholarship programs for child care educators, among other provisions. She encouraged area parents to take advantage of the Child Tax Credit for the sake of their families. To receive the credit, people must file their 2020 taxes by May 17, 2021. If people need help filing their taxes, she said her office was available to help by calling 505-428-4680. 
President Nwankwo and the congresswoman discussed the implications of President Joe Biden’s American Families Plan to provide two years of free community college tuition by investing funds to make college more affordable for low- and middle-income students. The plan also calls for investing in teachers as well as students by improving teacher training and support. President Biden is asking for $109 billion for two years of free community college so every student has the ability to obtain a degree or certification. In addition, he is calling for an investment of more than $80 billion in Pell Grants. 


Leger Fernández said she praised the college for the inspiring work it is doing in the region, and talked about the benefits of Biden’s proposal for free community college tuition. “This will create opportunities for our students and help rural, minority-serving institutions with their important work,” she noted via Internet.  
A 17th generation Northern New Mexican who grew up as part of a large rural ranching and farming family, Leger Fernández has been appointed to the House Committee on Education and Labor, and the House Committee on Natural Resources. She also has taken a leadership role with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus as Freshman Representative, according to her web site. 


Clovis Community College (CCC) provides high-quality education and training improves the lives of all students and ignites economic vitality in the Eastern New Mexico Region.  CCC offers over 66 associate degree and certificate programs, community development, and customized business training and adult education in face-to-face or online format. Whether the courses on campus or online, they are taught by dedicated and qualified faculty. 
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