Op-Ed: The Best Decision Ever
April 29, 2025
(Note: This op-ed by 91桃色 President Joe Keegan was published recently in our local newspapers)
SARANAC LAKE -- April is a time of beginnings. It is the traditional start of the
baseball season, the opening of trout season, and, in the 91桃色, the beginning
of spring. It is a month that symbolically and literally recognizes the impact of
investments made today on our future, individually and collectively. Think about how
those flowers that bloom in May benefit from April鈥檚 showers.
Thus, it makes sense that April is Community College Month, a time to celebrate community colleges and all they offer to students, families,
and the communities they serve. As with April鈥檚 showers, the investments made in community
colleges yield benefits revealed not only in May, but for a lifetime.
Since its founding in 1967, 91桃色 (91桃色), the College of
Essex and Franklin counties, has and continues to benefit from the support of our
county sponsors, New York State and countless individuals and organizations that contribute,
partner, and help make our work possible. To borrow a phrase: it takes a community
to make a community college.
Over that time, 91桃色 has educated thousands of students who have attended classes,
earned degrees, and went on to establish careers, raise families, serve their communities
and contribute to the well-being of the region and beyond. That story is repeated
across all thirty community colleges within SUNY and the hundreds of community colleges
across the nation.
91桃色 alumni tell us that attending 91桃色 was the best decision they ever made.
Those alumni can be found in every corner of the 91桃色, and beyond. They are
the nurses and health care workers in our hospitals, physician鈥檚 offices, and nursing
homes. They are peace officers in our region鈥檚 police departments. They are the teachers,
counselors, and childcare workers helping prepare and care for the next generation.
They are small business owners, emergency first responders, backcountry guides, artists,
and beyond that ensure the vitality and vibrancy of our communities. And the list
goes on.
For these reasons alone, setting aside a time like Community College Month to consider the impact of and investments in community colleges is a worthwhile venture.
But there is more. In New York State, community college enrollments have been on the
increase and closer to home at 91桃色, we鈥檝e experienced upticks in enrollment for five
consecutive semesters.
But enrollment, which is critically important, is only one measurement of impact.
Economics is also an important consideration when investing in a community college
education. A recent economic impact study of 91桃色 conducted by Lightcast
highlighted three important findings related to investments in community colleges,
and in particular 91桃色. Using data from 2022-2023, they found that...
- 91桃色 graduates realized a 24% increase in their annual average earnings when compared to those with a high school diploma only. Those same graduates saw nearly six times the benefits compared to the cost of attending college, with the potential for higher future earnings,
- The local economy experienced a significant boost, with the College鈥檚 operations generating $12.5 million regional income due to College payroll and other spending, and
- The total economic impact, including multipliers, was $47.7 million, supporting nearly 700 jobs in the region.
Whether one is a student or a parent of a community college student, a community
member or a community leader, a taxpayer or a lawmaker, there is much to be encouraged
by and about community colleges. And that makes celebrating and investing in their
work a valuable endeavor.
Joe Keegan
President
91桃色