Senators Markey, Collins Resolution Designating April as “Community College Month” Unanimously Passes Senate

Resolution Text (PDF)

Washington (April 23, 2026) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), top Democrat on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security, and Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) passed their bipartisan resolution unanimously designating April as "Community College Month."

Across the country, 10.5 million students are served by more than 1,000 public, Tribal, and independent community colleges, including 15 community colleges in Massachusetts serving over 120,000 students.

A companion resolution in the House of Representatives was introduced by Reps. Joe Courtney (CT-02) and Gus Bilirakis (FL-12).

"Massachusetts isn't only the Bay State, it's also the brain state," said Senator Markey. "Community colleges deliver high-quality, affordable education in students' communities, unlocking good careers and upward mobility. I'm grateful to our community college students, educators, and staff across Massachusetts and nationwide for all they do to improve our country with their skills, brainpower, and dedication."

"Maine's Community Colleges play an important role in shaping our future workforce and providing students with the skills they need to prepare for rewarding careers in industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, cybersecurity, and health care," said Senator Collins. "This bipartisan resolution celebrates the hard work of faculty at the more than 1,000 community colleges throughout our country and reaffirms our commitment to increasing access to higher education and workforce training."

"Community colleges provide a quality and affordable higher education and equip students with in-demand skills for lifelong careers," said Rep. Joe Courtney, a senior Member of the House Education and Workforce Committee. "In Connecticut's Second District, community college health care and manufacturing programs are connecting their students to careers that meet our region's workforce needs. I'm glad to introduce this resolution recognizing the great history of community colleges and the importance of the mission to our nation's future. I will continue working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to deliver the investments that community colleges and students need."

"As Co-Chair of the Community College Caucus, I'm proud to co-introduce a resolution recognizing the important role that community colleges play in our society," said Rep. Gus Bilirakis. "These institutions open doors to opportunity, providing accessible, affordable education and workforce training that empower individuals and strengthen our communities. Community colleges serve as a vital bridge-helping students achieve their goals, supporting local economies, and preparing a skilled workforce for the future."

"On behalf of the Commonwealth's 15 community colleges, we are grateful to Congress for recognizing April as Community College Month," said Nate Mackinnon, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges. "The mission of our colleges is open access education for all, and we are proud of the role we play in preparing students for the workforce. When we invest in our students, we invest in our communities and build a stronger Massachusetts."

Community colleges are vital sources of education in local communities; the median distance to a community college from a student's home is 10 miles. Almost half of all students completing a bachelor's degree had previously been enrolled at a 2-year public institution, and community colleges serve students who are often working, low-income, veterans, or the first in their family to go to college. Four out of five public high schools offer dual enrollment programs where high school students can take college classes, often at their local community college. Senator Markey previously introduced the Jumpstart on College Act that would expand and support these dual enrollment courses.

Cosponsors of the Senate resolution include Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

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