I am committed to a quality education system in Northern Michigan and believe that education is the great equalizer and is a cornerstone for our growing economy and middle class.
Northern Michigan's universities and community colleges should be incubators of innovation, attracting bright people and entrepreneurs from around the state, nation, and the world. I support programs that foster cooperation between community colleges and local businesses that train students for technical manufacturing jobs and other positions that demand specific workplace skills. We need to identify the jobs of the future and prepare workers for these opportunities.
I'll work to make college more affordable and accessible for Michigan families by fighting efforts to trim Pell Grants and other federal aid to students, and by supporting measures that prohibit banks from gouging students who borrow money to pay for college. The federal government should not be making billions in profits off of student loans.