Community colleges will be key to recovery from pandemic

April is Community College Month. As a proud Harper College alum, vice chair of the Harper College Board of Trustees and board member of the Association of Community College Trustees, I am an enthusiastic champion of community colleges and their power to lift our students and strengthen our community.

Though faced with unprecedented challenges this past year, Harper College and its sister institutions are finding new and innovative ways to keep students on their educational journeys while removing financial barriers and serving as critical lifelines to students with food, housing, transportation and financial insecurities.

At the onset of the pandemic, Harper quickly demonstrated its agility and responsiveness. Its Small Business Development Center connected area employers with state and federal resources, helping them to stay afloat as much of the economy shut down. The college's Makerspace manufactured more than 10,000 face shields and visors in partnership with High School District 214 to equip frontline essential workers. The college developed and launched a free contact tracing program to train workers and help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Recognizing the tremendous financial hardship facing many students and community members, the college has taken significant measures to support access and affordability. Because of its strong financial standing, the college was able to freeze tuition for a second year and implement various tuition relief initiatives, scholarships and grants.

More than 1,000 Chromebooks and WiFi hot spots were purchased for students in their remote learning environment. For students who are near completion but face an unexpected financial hurdle, Finish Line grants are available. Our Educational Foundation has awarded more than $300,000 in emergency funds to assist students with rent, food and other immediate needs. Harper College is committed to doing whatever it takes for our students to succeed.

As we continue to navigate this crisis, we are looking to the future. Community colleges will be vital to jumpstarting the economy in the coming year. Harper will continue to partner with the business community, understanding that a well-trained workforce is essential to an effective economic recovery. Grants for short-term training programs are available in many fields such as cybersecurity and real estate licensing for those needing reskilling or upskilling. Harper is also a national leader in apprenticeships, which offer flexible programs that combine job-related courses with structured on-the-job learning experiences.

In the health care field, community colleges save lives as the primary educators of health care professionals. According to the American Association of Community Colleges, 60% of nurses begin their studies at community colleges. Harper's nursing program, as many suburban residents can attest, is second-to-none and allows students to complete their RN or LPN credentials in a more cost-effective manner. Including nursing, more than 850 graduates hailed from Harper's health career programs last year alone.

Like so many community colleges, Harper College has helped shape our region, serving as a talent pipeline for employers and a beacon of opportunity for students and their families. That was certainly the case for me and Harper's exceptional quality and value, particularly during these challenging times, must not be overlooked. So, whether you come to earn an associate degree or certificate, seek to transfer, need to reskill, upskill, or change career course, Harper College is here for you.

Community colleges will lead our country through this recovery and Harper College will continue to be a beacon of light for everyone in our community to better their lives and earn a sustainable living. We are committed to channeling the resources and help needed to successfully upskill and reskill our workforce and launch our students onward in their educational journeys and careers.

• William F. Kelley of Schaumburg serves as vice chair of the Harper College Board of Trustees and chair of the Central Region, Association of Community College Trustees.