For Immediate Release Contact: Leigh E. Knopf, APR, Director of Marketing and Public Relations 3 May 2005 Tele.: 860.255.3775; Fax: 255.3417; e-mail: [email protected] PHOTO ATTACHED AN ALUMNUS OF TUNXIS, KEVIN WITKOS UNDERSTANDS THE VALUE OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES Kevin Witkos understands the value of Connecticut’s Community Colleges. State Representative of the 17th District (Avon, Canton), Witkos earned an associate in science degree in criminal justice from Tunxis Community College in 1996. “Connecticut Community Colleges are a great beginning to undergraduate education,” said Witkos. “My experiences at Tunxis Community College in the criminal justice program have helped me grow personally and professionally as a Police Sergeant and State Legislator.” Connecticut’s economic growth depends on the education level and earning power of its workforce. With nearly 50% of the state’s public college and university undergraduates enrolled at the 12 community colleges, Connecticut’s students and businesses benefit. On average in 2002, the typical graduate of a Connecticut Community College occupational program earned nearly $13,000 additional annual income six months after program completion. A person who has earned an associate’s degree can earn $400,000 more in his or her lifetime. Over 90% of Connecticut Community College students are from Connecticut and remain in Connecticut. Approximately 40,000 live, work, pay taxes and contribute to the state’s quality of life. Every $1.00 invested in Connecticut Community Colleges creates $4.00 to $6.00 in return in payroll, taxes, goods and services purchased. Courses at Connecticut’s Community Colleges are the most affordable of any segment of higher education. Tunxis Community College students have transferred their Tunxis credits to programs at the University of Connecticut, Connecticut State Universities, Trinity College, St. Joseph College, Quinnipiac University, Clark University, Wesleyan University, Yale University, Cornell University, Georgetown University, Northeastern University, and many others. Avon, Canton, Simsbury and Farmington are among the 11 towns in the Tunxis Community College service area. Tunxis offers over 60 degree and certificate programs responsive to the state’s workplace needs, including liberal arts and general studies. Tunxis is also a leader in online education, with hundreds of students already benefiting from the convenience of taking Tunxis courses from home or business. Tunxis is located at the junction of Routes 6 and 177 in Farmington. For more information, please call 860.255.3500, or visit Tunxis on the Internet: tunxis.commnet.edu. Page 1 of 2 State Representative Kevin Witkos, 17th District (Avon, Canton) “Connecticut Community Colleges are a great beginning to undergraduate education. My experiences at Tunxis Community College in the Criminal Justice program have helped me grow personally and professionally as a Police Sergeant and State Legislator.” ––Kevin Witkos, Tunxis CC Graduate 1996 Page 2 of 2 .