Marking milestones and launching a year-long celebration of the National College Promise Movement’s 10-year service anniversary

BOSTON, 13 August 2024 /PRNewswire/ — College Promise is pleased to announce its National Convention, which will take place this week at One Financial Center, 13-15 August 2024This event marks the start of a year-long campaign for College Promise to celebrate its 10th anniversary in September 2025. The organization is celebrating a decade of achievements in improving college access, student support, and career pathways across the country. The gathering brings together education leaders, policymakers, Promise practitioners, and advocates to discuss the future of college affordability and strategies to improve college access, achievement, and advancement for students. Participants include:

• Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts Kim Driscoll
• Jon SantiagoSecretary, Department of Veterans Services of Massachusetts
• Nate MackinnonExecutive Director, Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges
• Pam EddingerPresident, Bunker Hill Community College
• David DaiglerPresident, Maine Community College System
• Ellen KennedyPresident, Berkshire Community College
• Ricardo SolisPresident, South Texas College

“Here in MassachusettsEducation is our calling card. We are proud to have incredible universities and to be at the forefront of education policy,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll“We have made nation-leading progress in increasing public college enrollment after decades of decline and significantly expanded financial aid for students at public colleges and universities. I look forward to speaking with industry leaders at College Promise’s National Convening so we can work together to best support our future leaders of tomorrow.”

College Promise also announces the appointment of its National Leadership Council, which recognizes influential leaders across the country who demonstrate exemplary practices:

• Krissy DeAlejandroPresident and CEO, tnAchieves
• Michael FloresChancellor, Alamo Colleges District
• John JonesPresident and CEO, Hope Toledo
• Leidra McQueen, Executive Director, Lynchburg Beacon of Hope
• David RustCEO of Say Yes Buffalo
• Christopher WhitmoreManaging Director, Richmond Promise

In recognition of the newly appointed Council, College Promise CEO Martha Kanter stated, “The College Promise National Leadership Council represents the best of what the College Promise movement stands for – committed leaders committed to improving access and social mobility for all. Their experience and vision will guide us as we expand and enhance College Promise programs nationwide.”

The sessions will focus on innovations in policy and practice:

• Implementing strategies to serve diverse student populations, including veterans, Latinos, young men of color, and second-generation learners
• Reconnecting adult learners with higher education, certification and careers
• Examination of apprenticeships and career paths with regard to employee allocation and stackability
• Developing Promise programs as a talent pipeline for local economic development
• Leveraging local, state and national data to improve Promise outcomes
• Capitalization and financial sustainability of Promise Dollars

This year, College Promise recognizes a decade of service from tnAchieves and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission for their outstanding leadership in Tennessee statewide Promise program. This milestone marks a decade of dedicated efforts to make higher education accessible and affordable for all Tennesseans. In Review: President and CEO of tnAchieves and member of the College Promise National Leadership Council Krissy DeAlejandro remarked: “For ten years Tennessee The Promise program has changed the lives of thousands of students and opened doors to a better future. This achievement underscores not only the success of our state program, but also the broader impact of the national College Promise movement in expanding access to education and empowering students across the country.”

College Promise would like to thank the National Advisory Board members, national partners, charities and donors. Special thanks go to Ascendium Education Group, the Carnegie Corporation of new YorkECMC Foundation, Lumina Foundation, and The Kresge Foundation for their invaluable support in advancing the mission of College Promise.

About College Promise:
College Promise is a national, nonpartisan, nonprofit initiative that builds broad public support for tuition-free postsecondary education for hardworking students and ensures these students have access to high-quality educational opportunities and support for their success. College Promise programs aim to improve affordability, economic and social mobility, equity and inclusion while reducing student debt to build a sustainable talent pool for the future. Visit www.collegepromise.org or follow @College_Promise on X or LinkedIn.

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SOURCE: College Promise