Colleges, black colleges and universities and minorityserving institutions in preparing students for success. Pursuant to committee rules, Opening Statements are limited to the chair and Ranking Member. This is to allow us to hear from witnesses sooner and allow adequate time for questions. I recognize myself now for an opening statement. Examine thel Critical Role of historicallyblack colleges and universities, Tribal Colleges and universities, and Community Colleges in providing lowincome students and students of color with a quality Higher Education. Our first three bipartisan hearings have clearly demonstrated that a College Degree remains the surest path to Financial Stability for americans across the country. This is particularly true for lowincome students and students of color, whose educational and workforce opportunities have historically been limited i enter generational poverty and systemic racism. Studies show students with income and the bottom of distribution can double their chances of moving up the income ladder if they obtain a degree. Releasedfederal data this morning on college and betweenveals a 50 gap low income students and their wealthy peers. We have much work to do. Hbcus, Tribal Colleges and hispanicserving colleges continue to demonstrate their commitment and ability to provide these students with benefits that come with a quality education. The purpose of educating black students because other institutions would not, historically black colleges continue to live up to their mission where black students can thrive. They make up less than 3 of colleges and universities, yet they produce almost 20 of all black graduates. Tribal colleges and universities were developed as part of a political and social movement to regain tribal autonomy and to combat centuries of forced assimilation and destruction of native communities. Today there are 35 accredited tcus serving students from more federally registered tribes. Hispanic educations represent more than three out of five latino students and one quarter of all undergraduate students. Among fouryear institutions, hispanicserving institutions propel low income students to top income brackets at a rate three times, three times that of dominantly white institutions. Hispanicserving institutions also act as cultural hubs for many who returned to work in their own communities. These institutions are effective engines of economic mobility because they meet students where they are, and are dedicated to educating the whole person. And tc use tcus embed in the students honor of history, and american signaling to students that they belong in college. Many other institutions, such as Asian American and Pacific Islander institutions and predominantly black institutions also serve low income students and students of color. These institutions are forced to to bee with less, designated as a minority serving institution, colleges must not only enroll a substantial number of students of color, but must also enroll a substantial number of pell students, and have fewer resources than peer institutions. In my state, the California State University system as a model for how minorityserving institutions can help students overcome barriers to Higher Education. Reflecting the population of the state, more than half of csu students are people of color. One in three students are the first in their family to attend college, and more than half of all students receive pell grants. Community colleges also play a crucial role in providing Higher Education to lowincome students and students of color. These twoyour colleges often provide a local and affordable option for students who are priced out of fouryear institutions. In fact, Community Colleges and roll one and three black students and nearly half of latino, asianamerican, Pacific Islander and first generation students. More than one third of low income students attend Community Colleges. Done acrossrk being minority serving institutions and Community Colleges as colleges is hampered by deeply inadequate funding. Usstemic underfunding of hbc has been documented. The federal government has never fulfilled its obligation to support these schools. Less than half have received a grant for specific programs and the average Community College receives about half the amount of perstudent funding received by public, fouryear colleges. Funding and equity, we must ask, how are these institutions Still Producing such strong results . How is that . As our witnesses will highlight, when we invest in hbcus end Tribal Colleges, spanishserving institutions ,ispanicserving institutions we empower thousands of students each year with the most powerful tool to achieve success, the College Degree. As we honor the 65th anniversary of brown versus the board of education and wrestle with a promise unfulfilled, it becomes evident that, just like our k12 system, we spend more money to educate wealthy College Students and students who are underserved studentslthy college than students who are underserved. Depriving institutions that serve our most vulnerable resources our most vulnerable students of resources widely peers,ailable to wealthy congress has a responsibility to strengthen and invest in institutions promoting economic mobility. We must understand the critical work these institutions are the needs ofess todays students and invest in these initiatives. President barrett, dr. Captaintton dr. Mick i now yield to the Ranking Member for his opening statement. We are here today because we believe every american should have the opportunity to pursue Postsecondary Education. By aow doors are opened College Degree. We understand the importance of making this kind of opportunity achievable for everyone in our country. Higher education can set individuals on the right path to achieve the american dream. While it is not the only pathway to a high quality family sustaining job, it provides many with their opportunity to get a foot in the door for a lifelong career. As a result of economic policies we put in place, the good news is, todays graduates are entering a booming job market. We have over 7 million job openings and 6. 7 million unemployed. So im very proud of the opportunities our Economic Growth will create for the next generation, and believe that if we give students access, those willing to work hard and make good decisions have an excellent opportunity to succeed. That access is a critical piece of the pie. Higher education should be attainableand regardless of circumstance, which is why the government has made it a priority to ensure low income students have the tools they need to prepare for Postsecondary Education and manage the costs associated with earning a degree. As we consider what must be done in reauthorization of the Higher Education act, we have the opportunity to ensure that restructuring our Higher Education system provides all students that access to opportunities that offer pathways to success, both inside and outside the conventional classroom. That could be alternative pathways to a degree, such as offering programs so that students can only take courses. Hey need to do their jobs any of these changes to take place, we must recognize that money is an important part of the conversation, and institutions need to be willing to take responsibility for the outcomes of their students. Stories like one from this weekend, were a billionaire gifted an entire graduating class by paying off their student debt, are great examples of one persons capacity for excellence, but they also illustrate Something Else that is too easily forgotten, that nothing is free and someone always pays the price. This Means Congress and other institutions need to step up the plate, do all that we can respectively to make Higher Education nine investment that Higher Education and investment that doesnt cost more than it reaps. In promoting prosperity through education reform, the prosper act, a comprehensive proposal to hea ine the hga the last congress, republicans promoted and learn programs, increased flexibility in spending and reform of the Workstudy Program to better prepare students for future employment in their chosen fields. Ideas for affordable and accessible Postsecondary Education recognize that for too long, the federal government has complied with a myopic view of what Postsecondary Education is and why people pursue Higher Education. We must recognize Postsecondary Education needs to work for students, not the other way around. This committee should continue to consider these reforms Top Priorities as it discusses changes that could be included in the reauthorization of the hea. We need to strive on both sides of the aisle for new ideas to increase opportunities for all american students, regardless of circumstance, and support their efforts. Without objection, all who wish to submit schemas to the record may do so electron may do so electronically by june 4. Thank you all very much for being here. Ands the sixth president second leader of Xavier University of louisiana, a private Catholic Liberal Arts College and university. 2015 hesidency in received his undergraduate degree in biochemistry from Columbia University and a phd in biochemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of technology. President forvice Academic AffairsStudent Success and p 16 integration in the university of texas Rio Grande Valley. He has served in a variety of leadership positions including dean of all dean of College Education, sharing a phd from the university of south florida, an emphasis on special education and urban education. Now the longestserving chancellor in the history of virginias Community College hired in 2001. He has let a system through two strategic plans, which aspires to triple the number of credentials colleges put into virginias economy. He holds a masters degree from Eastern Kentucky university, a bachelors degree from Florida Atlantic university and a degree from the State University in new york and farmingdale. A Tribal College and university located in montana after serving as Vice President of Academic Affairs. The doctor is an enrolled member she earned her doctorate in education and educational leadership, masters of education from montana State University and a bachelor of arts in sociology from the university of montana. Welcome to you all. We appreciate all the witnesses for being here and certainly look forward to your testimony. I want to remind you that we have read your written statements and they will appear in full in the hearing record. Pursuant to committee practice, each of you is asked to limit your oral presentation to a fiveminute summary of your written statement. I also wanted to remind you that pursuant to u. S. Code section 2001, it is illegal to falsify any statement or material fact presented to congress or otherwise try to cover up material facts. Before you begin your testimony, police are member to press the please remember to press the button on the microphone in front of you so that it will turn on and we can all hear you. As you begin to speak, the light in front of you will turn green. After four minutes, the light will turn yellow. So you will have one remaining minute. When the light turns red, we will ask you to please wrap up. We will let the entire panel make the presentation before we moved to member questions. When answering a question, please remember to again turn your microphone on. The first to recognize is doctor barrett. Thank you. Subcommittee chairwoman davis, Ranking Member subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to address you. I serve as its sixth president of the university of louisiana. It was founded by katherine drexel. My institution is catholic and also hpcu. The purpose this proration takes place and incorporates all relevant learning needs including Research Experiences and community service. I was asked to testify before the subcommittee today on the institution as an engine of the economic mobility and programs that demonstrate the skills of the institution. Preparing students for careers and reminding you why they are important and created. The tcu was created to provide education. Noted for their contributions, satisfying the code of requirements and definition by the Higher Education act. In my home state of louisiana, according to an Economic Impact study, the employment impact of jobs. 923 million. Lifetime earnings of 9point for billion dollars. It is a regional impact of the institution the value added and impacted 135 million. And implement impact of 1715 jobs. Savior is considered to be one of the best schools in the nation for quality education according to the u. S. News world report. However, as students come close to realizing their dreams of Higher Education, the more expensive these goals become. More than 93 of the graduates qualify for forms of Financial Aid. More than 65 receive federal pell grants. We are grateful for the bipartisan support. And grateful for the katrina loan to help us recover from the disaster. At xavier, we are innovating the program and paying off students for the workforce. A changing workforce. We are launching 14 new high quality programs. And the only Physician Assistance Program in the state of louisiana, Masters Program. We believe that all children deserve Great Teachers. We are also engaging in highly qualified teachers for the primary and secondary schools. The extension of the program of allowing us to meet the evolving needs of students and global competitors. Xavier student academic resource ice provides all students the Foundation Grant has allowed Career Pathways. I am happy that the fiscal year 2020 labors the hhs a appropriation bill includes much needed increase in funding for the hpcu. The hpcu community should be fully funded. Senators doug jones and tim scott and mark walker recently introduced the future act. Bipartisan legislation to extend the funding of title iii for the hpcu. 85 million for stem initiatives until 2021. It is my hope that Congress Passes this bill before funding expires in 2019. I must say to you that the nation is in need of the ability and ingenuity of the students we educate. In companiesosper locally. So continued investment. I want to thank you. My testimony has been submitted. Please review it. Thank you very much. Thank you. Good morning chairwoman davis, Ranking Members. I am Patricia Alberts executive Vice President of Economic Affairs and integration at the university of texas Rio Grande Valley. I am grateful for the opportunity to address you today and i want to especially thank you for giving me the ability to share some of the wonderful work happening at the university of texas Rio Grande Valley. We are 120 miles along the Us Mexico Border all the way from brownsville to the rio grande city. The fall 2010 enrollment was over 20,000 students. We graduate over 5000 students each year. 87 of the students are hispanic. 59 are firstgeneration. 76 of all undergraduate students receive some form of Financial Aid. 81 of undergraduate students receiving Financial Aid are pell grant eligible. Most and partly students are committed to their education and to giving back to the communities. The work we do is guided by