#United States #Washington, D.C. #CCA #Complete College America #College Completion

Bipartisan Higher Education Leaders Advocate for Student Success

On June 9, 2026, the vibrant halls of Washington, D.C. witnessed a significant gathering of over 20 leaders from across 13 U.S. states and territories for the fourth annual Complete College America (CCA) Day on the Hill. The event was spearheaded by CCA, a national advocacy organization dedicated to improving college completion rates. The primary aim was to advocate for federal policies that enhance evidence-based practices to help more students successfully complete their college education.

Dr. Yolanda Watson Spiva, president of Complete College America, emphasized the urgency of the moment stating, "At a time when the demands of our economy and labor market are rapidly shifting, ensuring that more Americans earn a college degree or credential of value has never been more urgent." The leaders present symbolized the pinnacle of a mission-driven, data-informed approach, unified in their commitment to fostering student success. The momentum generated at this event was aimed directly at Congress, seeking impactful change.

The constituents from states including Alabama, California, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, New Mexico, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, and Washington engaged in productive discussions with members of Congress and their staff. Their objective was to advance critical college completion priorities at the federal level, initiating conversations with influential Senate and House committees, including the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee and the Education and Workforce Committee, as well as key congressional artificial intelligence (AI) task forces.

The participants put forth several legislative priorities:

1. Postsecondary Student Success Act: Urging for the reintroduction and passage of this act would authorize federal grants aimed at enabling states and institutions to implement scaled college completion practices based on evidence.
2. College Transparency Act: Advocating for better data availability on student outcomes and institutional performance.
3. Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA): Reauthorization of this act is critical to synchronize workforce development with postsecondary education.
4. Pell Grant Funding: Addressing the existing funding shortfall to guarantee access and affordability for financially needy students.
5. Investment in AI Infrastructure: Advocating for ethical standards and infrastructure that support personalized, technology-driven student assistance.

Dr. Dhanfu Elston, Chief of Staff and Senior Vice President for Strategy at Complete College America, reinforced the necessity of these policy priorities, noting how they reflect the ongoing efforts of states and institutions aiming to ensure student success. "The leaders here today are not just advocates. They are practitioners who have witnessed the success of these evidence-based approaches in their own institutions," he stated, underscoring the importance of making congressional members aware of these practical insights directly from the field.

Noteworthy representatives included:

• - Cynthia Anthony from Lawson State Community College in Alabama
• - Mary Lee Vance from CSU Sacramento in California
• - Rusty Monhollon, consultant and former state higher education officer in Kansas
• - Margaret Montgomery-Richard, partner at DMM Associates and former chancellor of Louisiana Technical College
• - David Kung, executive director from TPSE-Math in Maryland
• - Barbara Damron, professor emerita from the University of New Mexico
• - Milagritos Gonzalez Rivera, coordinator from the Center for Learning Success, University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez
• - Susan Elkins, immediate past chancellor from the University of South Carolina Palmetto College in South Carolina
• - Steven Gentile, executive director from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission

The event followed a structured initiative extending over three days, starting with a preparation and strategy session on June 8, followed by a day filled with Congressional meetings, and concluding with a strategic debrief on June 10. This extended format reflects CCA’s commitment to continuous, year-round federal engagement, aiming to push for sustained advocacy efforts rather than limiting it to a singular event.

Complete College America operates as a national coalition comprising 53 states, systems, and institutions of higher education devoted to increasing the number of students who successfully obtain valuable degrees or credentials. The coalition represents more than 1,000 institutions serving over 8.1 million students.

For those interested in learning more about Complete College America and how to get involved in this transformative movement, further information can be found on their website, CompleteCollege.org.