I have been excited and encouraged in recent months to see Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden emerge as a leading advocate for community and technical colleges. 

Dr. Biden used a recent speech before the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to tout America's community college system.  She explained to her international audience that community and technical colleges could be pillars of economic recovery and sources of new skills after layoffs - and a model for poorer countries struggling to educate their citizens.  Read the full text of Dr. Biden's speech here.

Fresh on the heels of the UNESCO speech, Dr. Biden penned an editorial that urges students and parents alike to give serious consideration to community and technical colleges.  Read more, from Forbes Magazine.

So what is behind Dr. Biden's interest in community and technical colleges?  As most of you know, she has been a long-time community college educator for years, beginning her community college career teaching English at Delaware Community and Technical College.  Today, Dr. Biden continues to teach as an adjunct instructor at Northern Virginia Community College. 

And, as she explained in a recent interview, she bends the Vice President's ear on a nightly basis about the needs of two-year institutions and their students.  Read more from Newsweek.

Dr. Biden's experience is a great lesson in the importance of faculty and staff advocacy.  You may not be able to get an audience with the President or speak before United Nations delegations.  But you can speak with authority and passion to your legislators, district board members, and community members about your experiences and those of your students. 

Take Dr. Biden's lead - talk to your local union leaders and ask how you can get involved.