Growing America's Middle Class - One College Graduate at a Time
Getting into and graduating from college is life-changing, especially for first-generation and immigrant students. We must continue to stress the importance of a college education and support the formal and informal networks that make this happen.
When I look back at my kid’s graduation, I found myself deeply grateful to all the people who helped me get through the process of getting my college applications filled, study for the SATs and tutor me. As an immigrant and first-generation, first-in-family to attend college, that village in Elmhurst Queens, Hell's Kitchen and beyond, helped propel me and my family into the American middle class. The generational impact for many like me and the impact on America itself, cannot be overstated.
I have seen this first hand also in my involvement with the Association of Latino Professionals for America, ALPFA. One of the largest professional organizations helping Latinos find their purpose and make an impact, the ALPFA college chapters nation-wide are corporate America's funnel to hiring the top Latino students in the country. For over 30 years, Goldman, EY, Walmart, BNYMellon, JPMorgan, recruit and retain the best and brightest America has to offer. The students receive support in resume writing, interviewing and the best of the best get to attend the national convention where employers get to cherry pick from the hardest working and most promising ALPFA student members. Over the years these ALPFA students-turned employees have risen to positions of prominence and success. Many of them are now managing directors and senior partners who are now paying it forward by mentoring leaders who will soon run our Fortune 500 companies ...and maybe even run for public office.
There are voices in America saying that college is not important. As was pointed out in a New York Times OpEd, "The evidence remains overwhelming: College is the single most reliable path to the middle class and beyond. No, it doesn’t guarantee a good life. Nothing does. But earning a good living without a college degree today is difficult."
There is much that divides our nation and we hear about that disproportionately compared to the good that strengthens and units us. That good includes those high school guidance counselors, single moms, ALPFA volunteers...They increase mobility into the middle class which America so desperately needs.
Getting into and graduating from college make us a stronger family, community, and country. It unites us and best yet, it makes us proud fathers.