U.S. Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) hosted a roundtable talk at Delaware County Community College’s Downingtown Center on the affordability of education, childcare and housing on March 20.

Rep. Houlahan chose the location in part because she shares a personal connection to the experiences of many DCCC students. Joining the two congresswomen in the discussion were DCCC President Dr. Marta Yera Cronin, Dr. Kendrick Mickens, the director of outreach and support, Dr. Nyia Kelly, an associate professor of communication and advisor to the student Phi Theta Kappa honor society, and nine DCCC students. Mickens also helms the college’s Essential Student Resource Center.

The discussion focused on the cycle of student loan debt, the high cost of childcare and housing, and the cumulative effect of these factors on economic and social mobility. 

“Opportunity should not be contingent on luck. Opportunity should be available to everyone,” said Dr. Cronin, who was herself a first-generation college student. 

The college frequently hosts opportunities for discussion and engagement on topics that impact students and community members throughout Delaware and Chester Counties.