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Senator Baucus Announces Montanans To Participate In First-Ever White House Sponsored National Community College Summit

Senator Applauds Montana Community College Leaders Selected to Special Summit

Montana’s senior U.S. Senator, Max Baucus announced today Montana community college leaders will participate in the first-ever White House Summit on Community Colleges next month.

At the request of Baucus, President of Flathead Valley Community College, Dr. Jane Karas and Fort Peck Community College Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Janine Pease, were selected to share their perspectives during a summit highlighting the critical role community colleges play in developing America’s workforce and educational goals.

“I’m so pleased to know two of our best leaders in the Montana Community College world will be sharing their unique perspective on the national stage,” Baucus said. “Dr. Karas is a true expert on the link between education policy and economic development. Dr. Pease has a distinguished record as a leader in advancing education and job opportunities for American Indians. Our community colleges serve an important role in preparing Montanans for good-paying jobs and inspiring businesses to grow based on our second-to-none work-ethic and well-trained workforce. It’s great news to know Montanans will be a part of this important effort.”

Dr. Jane Karas has a distinguished list of accomplishments as an administrator and scholar. In addition to her role as President of FVCC, she is Chair of the Mountain States Association of Community Colleges, is a member of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Commission on Economic and Workforce Development. Dr. Karas was honored with the 2009 Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Chief Executive Officer Award for the association’s Mountain Region in October 2009 and is also a recipient of the 2003 Montana Ambassadors Educator of the Year Award.

Dr. Janine Pease is also a member of the Montana Board of Regents of Higher Education and former president of Big Horn Community College. She has an honorable track record as an advocate for American Indians and education. Prior to her current role at Fort Peck Community College, she worked as Vice President for American Indian Affairs at Rocky Mountain College. In 1990, she was chosen as the National Indian Educator of the Year.

As Senate Finance Committee Chairman, Baucus included $2 billion in competitive grant program funds for community colleges to develop and improve educational or career training programs for workers who are eligible for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA). The funding, passed as part of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, provides $500 million for each of the fiscal years 2011-2014 for the TAA Community College and Career Training Grant program. The grant program also provides each state with at least $2.5 million in the Community College and Career Training Grant program, ensuring that workers in Montana and across the country have access to vital job training to learn new skills and obtain good-paying jobs.

White House Summit on Community Colleges is scheduled for October 5, 2010. Dr. Jill Biden will serve as chair of the summit which will bring together community colleges, businesses, philanthropy, federal and state policy leaders, and students. People across the country are encouraged to join in on the conversation by participating online at http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/CommunityCollege. Community college students are encouraged to submit their stories about how community college has changed their lives.

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