We the People’s Forum: Higher Ed: A Bridge or Barrier for Working Class?

Is higher education a bridge or barrier for America’s working class?

For years, many Americans saw a college degree as the golden ticket to economic stability. But more and more Americans are wondering:

Is the price of that ticket too high for many working-class Americans?
Have college degrees become overrated?
Is our system of higher education deepening financial divides–or is it basically working well for all Americans?
We’ll discuss these big questions and explore solutions with a politically diverse group at this Braver Angels event, We the People’s Forum, a place where everyday Americans get time at the podium.

Here’s how it works:

First half: a politically diverse panel of Allegany College of Maryland students present their experiences about the challenges and opportunities of higher education.

Second half: it’s Discussion time! Anyone with direct experience on the issue is encouraged to talk about their experience, and anyone may ask a question.

This event is open to the general public.

About the Speakers

Annette Ritter is an active member of the Braver Angels “We the People’s Project” Leadership Team, a Human Service/Addiction Counseling student, and president of the Peace Club at Allegany College of Maryland.

Romello Davis is a psychology and sociology major at Allegany College of Maryland aspiring to work in the childcare/youth field as a therapist or school counselor. He is transferring to a university in the fall for a bachelor’s degree in social work.

Nikita Hall is a Human Service student at Allegany College Of Maryland with plans to transfer to Frostburg State University in the Fall 2022 semester to enter into the Social Work Program. Nikita is a member of the Allegany County NAACP and the ACM Peace Club, and is a wife and mother of 4 who was born and raised in Baltimore, MD.

We the People: that’s you and the rest of us! We especially want to hear from people who have direct experience about this issue.

Other speakers will be added

Hosts:

From Allegany College of Maryland: Student Government Association, Peace Club, and NAACP student club
Allegany County’s Choose Civility initiative.
About Allegany County Day of Civility

The Allegany County Choose Civility initiative is an ongoing community-wide effort to position Allegany County, Maryland as a model of civility. Each year the initiative, composed of Allegany County community leaders representing diverse organizations, hosts a Day of Civility to celebrate and demonstrate what civility means and how to model it in our local community.

About Allegany College of Maryland

Allegany College of Maryland [ACM] is a small, rural, public community college that serves about 1800 full time students a year. Our mission is to deliver diverse and relevant education centered around student success in a supportive and engaging community. Our vision is to be the college of choice that transforms lives, strengthens communities, and makes learners the center of everything we do.

About Braver Angels and We the People’s Forum

Braver Angels is a citizen’s organization that brings Americans together to bridge the partisan divide and strengthen our democratic republic. We the People’s Forum is a Braver Angels event where everyday Americans get time at the podium. We hear from people who are often spoken of, but rarely spoken with, on the most important issues of the day. Learn more at www.braverangels.org/wpp