Press Releases and Speeches

City Colleges Chancellor Watson Testifies Before Congressional Black Caucus

Chicago, IL (April 5, 2006) - City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) Chancellor Wayne D. Watson traveled to New Orleans recently to testify before the U.S. Congressional Black Caucus. He was invited to speak as the head of a receiving institution for students displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

Chancellor Watson, speaking at the congressional field hearing held during the 31st National Conference on Blacks in Higher Education, explained how the City Colleges of Chicago provided comprehensive services to students who were not able to continue their education because of Hurricane Katrina.

He further stated that City Colleges has been a catalytic force in the building trades in Chicago by bringing about the City of Chicago's, State of Illinois' and local trade associations' efforts to provide greater access to lucrative construction jobs to a more diverse workforce. While acknowledging that there is still much to be accomplished in this area in Chicago, he is encouraged and suggested a similar model could be used by colleges in the hurricane-impacted region to rebuild their communities.

City Colleges of Chicago established apprenticeship-prep programs at Dawson Technical Institute of Kennedy-King College in carpentry, bricklaying, cement masonry, plumbing, and welding that are designed to prepare minorities and women to succeed in the construction industry. "City Colleges sees itself as part of the solution in the effort to secure fair access for minorities and women to work in the construction trades," Watson said. "We see workforce training and career education as a major component of our mission."

"During the initial Hurricane Katrina relief effort, Chicagoans sent bus-loads of supplies in support. Regrettably, we cannot assist in the rebuilding efforts by sending bus-loads of construction workers of color for a very simple reason - their existence is still at low levels in Chicago compared to their population totals. Building trade apprenticeship registrations in northeastern Illinois for the period 2001 - 2005 show Blacks at 10.7%; Hispanics at 26.6% and women at 2.9%," noted Watson.

"We are presently positioning City Colleges to train Chicago residents or, if necessary, to train displaced residents of New Orleans to be part of the rebuilding of New Orleans.," continued Watson.

Watson, along with the chancellors from St. Louis and Houston community colleges, is scheduled to meet with administrators from Louisiana community colleges in Baton Rouge later this month. "We are working with Louisiana community colleges in support mode. Our intent is to share how each of our schools' unique models can help the rebuilding effort."

"Partnering and being a resource is a traditional role for the nation's community colleges and one that we embrace," Watson said. "The Louisiana Community and Technical College System is a key resource in the reconstruction effort."

"Builders, politicians and trade associations need to support the Louisiana Community and Technical College System's efforts, and commit to hiring program completers," he added. "Louisiana officials have made it clear that they are committed to having the community colleges play a central role in rebuilding Louisiana. This follows the historic tradition of Black colleges, such as Tuskegee and Hampton, being built, in part, by their students."