Four Montgomery County Community College students traveled to Harrisburg to discuss the value of a community college education with lawmakers during Community College Day at the state Capitol building April 24.

Students Dani Arcos Narvaez, Katelyn Durst, Mercy Ifiegbu and Kmar Teagle, along with MCCC President Dr. Victoria L. Bastecki-Perez and Director of Government and External Relations Michael Bettinger joined students, faculty and staff from Pennsylvania’s 14 other community colleges in attendance for the event at the statehouse. During their visit, the Mustangs met with state Reps. Joe Ciresi, Greg Scott, Missy Cerrato, State Sen. Maria Collett and a staff member for state House Majority Leader Matt Bradford.

Representatives from each of the colleges also gathered together on the steps of the Capitol Rotunda to call for more state investment in Pennsylvania’s community colleges.

“The event highlighted the community colleges’ role in helping Pennsylvania solve its worker shortage crisis,” according to the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges, “as collectively the colleges are the largest provider of postsecondary education and workforce training in the state.”

Dr. Bastecki-Perez called the event a momentous opportunity.

“For our students, this was the first time in four years they were able to share their personal stories in front of lawmakers, giving a face to the community college student,” she said. “For lawmakers, this event gave them a better understanding of the role community colleges like Montgomery County Community College play in the betterment of lives in communities across the Commonwealth every day. I am so proud of our students for representing the College in such an extraordinary way.”

“This year’s Community College Day was very successful, and I’m very proud of the students who participated in how they represented not just the College, but themselves,” said Bettinger.  “Through the stories they shared with our legislators, they really demonstrated how driven they are, how MCCC is helping them achieve their educational goals, and how Pennsylvania’s community colleges are at the forefront of providing support and opportunity for students and meeting workforce needs.  I believe the legislators and staff who met with leaders and students from Pennsylvania’s 15 community colleges understood our importance as a key partner in moving Pennsylvania forward.”

Students told lawmakers their stories and spoke to how their lives have been personally impacted by their time at MCCC. Narvaez, a Psychology major, and Ifiegbu, a Computer Science major, spoke to how MCCC has supported them as international students.  

 “It was awesome,” said Narvaez, who was recently elected as the next Student Government Association president. “I never thought I could go to the state capitol, meet lawmakers and advocate for students. I’m a very justice driven person and experiencing that in a place where justice is supposed to be made was really interesting.”

As the future SGA president, Narvaez was struck by seeing how government works at the state level.

“Who’s actually dealing with my education? Who has a part to say into whether I have free tutoring or not?” she said. “These are the people who are approving the funds for my resources. If they don’t understand the importance of me having an education, I need to change that.”

Narvaez, who moved from her native Ecuador in 2018, and who lives in Norristown currently, said she wanted to champion the needs of international students in Harrisburg.

“I want to continue, based on that advocacy, to use my voice as an international student to help other international students,” she said. “It was very inspirational.”

Ifiegbu, who grew up in Botswana but whose nationality is Nigerian, moved in August 2022 to the United States. She currently lives in Chestnut Hill. She said the experience at the Capitol gave her time for introspection.

“It made me reflect on my achievements and the achievements of my classmates,” she said. “A lot of us have come really far. Going to community college there’s a stigma attached that we’ve not done a lot, but we have all achieved a great amount that we should be proud of,” she said. “The trip also made me realize that I haven't been as civically involved as I could be. Local politics has been a faraway concept to me, but this trip made it more relatable. It has inspired me to be more civically engaged. Another huge inspiration was my colleagues and their stories. Seeing how far they have come was enlightening to the various support structures Montco provides, and I am honored to have gone on this trip with them.”

Durst, a mom of two children with a third on the way, talked about the opportunities she’s been afforded as a Liberal Studies major with a concentration in pre-law. Graduating this spring, she plans to transfer to Temple University to pursue a law degree.

“I felt it was a great opportunity,” said Durst, who lives in Norristown. “It was really cool to be in a space with so much history. I had to stop and think about the major events that have taken place in that building. You don’t appreciate that.”

Durst said she felt nervous meeting lawmakers at first but was relieved at how friendly and welcoming they all were. As the day went on, it was easier to open up and tell my story,” she said. 

“What stood out to me the most was the way lawmakers were able to interact with each other. “They were friendly with each other. You don’t see that a lot in government. It was cool to see the day-to-day interactions. Media can be very polarizing. State Rep. Joe Ciresi spoke about how we may have differences, but we work together. That’s really huge.”

Teagle, a Nursing major from Jenkintown, really appreciated the change to meet with legislators who supported community colleges.

“I really thought it was a phenomenal experience,” said Teagle, who has a job lined up as a trauma nurse after graduation. “Meeting with lawmakers, meeting with people already in our corner, gave the legislature a face to put alongside the ask. They’re able to remember the personal stories behind their decision to support community colleges, so we can get the resources we need to inspire a better future. We are the future. It was just very enlightening. It was a rewarding experience overall.”