Over the past two decades, college tuition has increased in price more than any other good or service besides hospital care. Tuition inflation has risen at a faster rate than the cost of medical services, child care, and housing. While generous financial aid means that students usually pay far less than the “stickerprice” of tuition, the net price of public four-year colleges has still more than doubled since the turn of the century.
In November, we explored why college and university are beyond the reach of many and a financial drain for those with loans. We discussed college loan forgiveness – the pros and cons – why college tuition is so expensive and what we should do about it.
Speakers:
- Jaylon Herbin, Center for Responsible Lending: Jaylon is the director of federal campaigns for the Center for Responsible Lending. He also focuses on outreach development and student loan debt. Throughout his professional career, Jaylon has cultivated his skills in relationship-building, organizing, and advocating.
- Michael Fields is the President of the Advance Colorado Institute. Prior to that, he served as the Executive Director of Colorado Rising Action and the State Director of Americans for Prosperity – Colorado. He has served as a policy aide at the Colorado State House and also as a press aide for the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions. He is a FOX31 Denver political analyst, as well as an adjunct professor of American Politics.
- Joe Garcia, Colorado Community College System: Joe is the Chancellor of the Colorado Community College System. He has also served as President of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, Lt. Governor of Colorado and as the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education. He has focused his career on increasing equity in outcomes for all students, particularly those from low-income backgrounds and communities of color.
Moderator:
- Jason Gaulden has spent his professional career working at the intersection of the business and nonprofit sectors. He is a partner at Oak Rose Group and was previously the founder and principal at Gaulden Group LLC. He draws upon 25 years of professional experience in varying roles: executive leadership, philanthropy, communications, grassroots advocacy, research and writing, fund development, and nonprofit board development. In 2022, Jason was named an Education Fellow at Common Sense Institute.