Chaired by TC’s President Thomas Bailey, a panel of college presidents including Joe Bertolino, (Ed.D. ‘03), president, Southern Connecticut State University; Joel S. Bloom (Ed.D. ‘78), president of New Jersey Institute of Technology; Mildred Garcia (M.A. ‘85), president of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and former president of California State University, Fullerton and David Gomez (Ed.D. ‘82), president of Hostos Community College will discuss current challenges ranging from accessibility to sustainability that face institutions of higher education (especially public universities and colleges, including community colleges). How will they deliver on their mission of providing a quality education to the vast majority of underserved and underrepresented members of the community? Can these institutions serve as launch pads for social mobility allowing people with less means to pursue careers that bring them economic advancement and financial stability?