Dr. Vinton Thompson, President of Metropolitan College of New York
NEW YORK, NY – December 2, 2014 — Metropolitan College of New York’s President Vinton Thompson has been invited by President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and Vice President Biden to represent New York City at the 2nd College Opportunity Day of Action at The Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center on Thursday, December 4, 2014. The Summit will bring together colleges and universities, business leaders, nonprofits and others that are committed to supporting more college opportunities for students across the country.
“President Obama has taken a special interest in the quality and affordability of higher education,” said President Vinton Thompson. “I am honored that he, the First Lady and Vice President Biden have invited me to participate in their latest education summit to celebrate continued efforts to expand college access for low-income and disadvantaged students. Since its founding 50 years ago, Metropolitan College of New York has been a leader in promoting college access and success for communities and non-traditional age students underserved by conventional educational programs. We are committed to working with the President and others to achieve the President’s goals to increase the number of students successfully completing college programs and to raise the proportion of Americans with college degrees.”
This year’s summit will focus on building sustainable collaborations in communities with strong K-12 and higher education partnerships to encourage college going, and supporting colleges to work together to dramatically improve persistence and increase college completion, especially for first generation, low-income, and underrepresented students.
For interview opportunities with President Thompson, please Teresa Lyles-Holmes, UniWorld Group (212) 219-7239 (o), (914) 282-5317 (m) Teresa.Holmes@uwgny.com
For more information on how to cover the Summit, please contact Media_Affairs@who.eop.gov and include “College Opportunity Summit Coverage” in the subject line.
MEDIA RSVP: President Obama to Host College Opportunity Day of Action
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR PLANNING PURPOSES
December 1, 2014
President Obama to Host College Opportunity Day of Action
MEDIA RSVP:
WASHINGTON, DC – On Thursday, December 4, the President, Vice President and First Lady will host the second College Opportunity Day of Action at The Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. In January, the President and First Lady joined over 140 college presidents and other education leaders to announce commitments to expand college opportunity at the first ever White House College Opportunity Day of Action. Thursday’s event will build on the commitments announced in January, with over 300 college presidents and other leaders launching initiatives in new areas. This event will focus on building networks of colleges around promoting completion, investing in high school counselors as part of the First Lady’s Reach Higher initiative, creating K-16 partnerships around college readiness, and increasing the number of college graduates in STEM fields. The day of action helps to support the President’s commitment to partner with colleges and universities, business leaders, and nonprofits to support students across the country to help our nation reach its goal of leading the world in college attainment.
FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY, NOT FOR REPORTING
THURSDAY, December 4, 2014
All times are Eastern Time (ET)
9:00AM – Opening Remarks
Cecilia Muñoz, Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council and Secretary Arne Duncan, U.S. Department of Education
9:15AM – Panel Discussions I and II
Moderated by Cecilia Muñoz and Secretary Julian Castro, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
11:50AM – Remarks by THE PRESIDENT
2:45PM – Remarks by THE FIRST LADY
3:00PM – Remarks by THE VICE PRESIDENT
This event is POOLED for television and open to limited pre-credentialed still photographers and correspondents.
Still photographers and correspondents who wish to cover the President’s remarks should RSVP HERE by Wednesday, December 3 at 9:00 AM ET. Location: The Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center The Amphitheater 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20004 Media Coverage: This event is POOLED for television and open to limited pre-credentialed still photographers and correspondents. Requests for TV cameras cannot be accommodated. Space is limited and RSVPs do not guarantee access. You will receive a confirmation email after the deadline has passed if you will receive a credential to cover the event. All names submitted for credentials must be accurate and reflect the identification media presents at checkpoints for entrance. This event will be available via live-stream at www.whitehouse.gov/live.
Media Entrance: The Pennsylvania Avenue entrance of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, at the intersection of 13th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue
Media Access Times: Media must arrive by the times listed below to go through security and access the event. Media may leave between sessions, but must return to the media entrance at times below to regain access.
8:00 AM to cover Opening Remarks, Panel 1: Innovation at Scale and Panel 2: K-12 and Higher Education Partnerships
11:00 AM to cover President Obama’s remarks
1:30 PM to cover the First Lady and Vice President’s remarks
Throw (distance from media area to stage): 60 feet
Limited seating and power available
Contact for planning and logistical purposes (media only): Caroline Coscia, ccoscia@who.eop.gov, 202-503-5287
About Metropolitan College of New York
Audrey Cohen, educational visionary and activist, founded the Women’s Talent Corps in 1964. Through development and training for new professional positions, the Talent Corps created employment for thousands of people. It became The College for Human Services, later Audrey Cohen College, and today Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY). MCNY, now celebrating its 50th anniversary, continues the tradition of offering highly motivated learners an education that combines applied skills and professional knowledge to effect personal transformation and positive change in the workplace and community. MCNY is a not-for-profit, accredited, independent college. Full year-round offerings accelerate degree completion, and a unique approach to learning permits close integration of workplace activities and study. MCNY is conveniently located in Soho/Tribeca at 431 Canal Street, New York, NY 10013 and in the Bronx at 529 Courtlandt Ave Bronx, NY 10451. For more information on MCNY, visit www.mcny.edu or call 800.33.THINK.
