“Their words, presence, and support were affirmations of the value students bring to NVCC; they are indeed our strongest asset and most sacred trust,” said NVCC President Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D. of the students’ testimony.

The governor’s proposed budget would cut $14.3 million, or about 4.4 percent, from the state’s block grant to the system, which includes the four Connecticut state regional universities, a dozen community colleges and the online Charter Oak College.

“We fully understand that today is just the beginning of the conversations that will shape the budget, and we appreciate the opportunity to be part of the dialogue. You have difficult decisions to make in the days and weeks to come, but we’ll be here at every step of the way, as a resource for you, and a reminder of the students we serve,” said President Ojakian in his testimony.

Last September, the U.S. Department of Education ranked NVCC as a top college in the nation, through a survey evaluating public, two-year colleges for their effectiveness in serving low-income students with relatively high outcomes. NVCC ranked second of the top 25 colleges in this national survey.