Marc Veasey - CICC Member Spotlight

I personally care about supporting our nation’s private, nonprofit colleges and universities. I earned my bachelors from Texas Wesleyan University, a small private university in Fort Worth, TX. My educational experience there was instrumental in shaping my future and instilling the values of community, inclusion, and diversity in me. Texas Wesleyan is a great example of the student-focused, academically prestigious, and affordable education that private universities provide for students. Through the CICC, I hope to continue advocating for independent colleges and the various issues they face.

I am proud to have several private colleges and universities in my district. These schools significantly contribute to the cultural and economic development of our local communities by attracting businesses, building partnerships, and improving safety and the overall infrastructure of neighborhoods. Texas Wesleyan University’s Rosedale Renaissance project is a prime example of private universities’ critical role in regional development. The $6.5 million project, set to complete in 2020, is already revitalizing the Polytechnic neighborhood in southeastern Fort Worth with street improvement initiatives, and its launch of a new restaurant and community-accessible Service Center.

Independent colleges and universities in my district are always seeking innovative ways to support students’ success. Their commitment to higher education is illustrated in the many partnerships they have with community colleges, high schools, and local businesses. Through these partnerships, they provide critical college preparation programs and scholarships for high school students, along with resources to successfully equip community college students for their transition into 4-year degree programs. At Texas Wesleyan University, the Upward Bound (UB) and Upward Bound Math and Science (UBMS) programs provide crucial support to high school students preparing for college.  These schools are also making higher education more accessible to non-traditional students by providing online degrees that allow parents and working adults to complete their degrees off-campus. At Texas Wesleyan, students can earn an MBA and other graduate-level degrees completely online.

As a former student, I recognize the value and importance of education. I believe that education should be made accessible to all Americans, regardless of socioeconomic standing. In Congress, I’m working to keep student loan interest rates down, ensure college affordability, and support programs like Pell Grants, Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (SEOG), and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF) that make the American Dream possible for so many. I am also dedicated to supporting initiatives like Title IX and school safety programs that help cultivate safe and nurturing educational environments.

As a student, I benefited from the small-sized classroom experience, scholarship opportunities, affordable tuition, and accredited degree programs provided at Texas Wesleyan University. The high academic standards and rigorous coursework I completed at Texas Wesleyan have provided limitless opportunities for me. As a member of the board of trustees, I now serve as an advocate for these values that were once instrumental to my academic and personal growth.  My experiences at Texas Wesleyan have allowed me to continue to be a voice for independent colleges and universities here in Congress.