Proud of PLEDGE

As a board member of the Desert Community College District, it has been so rewarding to have helped implement the plEDGE program at College of the Desert.

Currently in California, so many students who enter community colleges and four-year universities don't finish degrees. In urban Los Angeles 70% of high school graduates enter college but only 25% graduate within six years. There are as many reasons as there are students, but one major shared reason is financial. Many students have to work to support themselves and their families, which means they can't attend full time and become discouraged by their slow progress. 

At College of the Desert we will be able to offer local high school graduates two years of free tuition and fees. In exchange, students must commit to full time enrollment and participate in community service programs.

I can't think of a better way to impact our community and the lives of our students than to help them complete associate's degrees in two years with the job skills to enter the local workforce. 

A small number of community colleges are offering similar programs and could soon become a common practice that will benefit young people across the nation.