by Shannon Carroll and Stacie Hargis

In Fall of 2024, the Healey-Driscoll Administration and State Legislature made community college free for students of any age and income in Massachusetts. This is exactly the kind of investment that helps to raise economic opportunities and, for a city like Lowell, can have significant returns for our community’s future.

Enrollment at community colleges is skyrocketing because of this investment, and we are happy to be part of this life-changing opportunity for our students and communities. However, the implementation of these programs has been rushed and underfunded, and lacks the critical support we need to ensure student success.

Our Colleges are under-resourced, understaffed, and struggle to recruit and retain talented faculty and professional staff and here is why:

● Massachusetts is one of the highest cost-of-living states in the country. On average, faculty are paid $34,000 less than the living wage in Massachusetts (MTA Wage Study).

● There are not enough faculty and professional staff to meet the increased demand of students.

● Faculty have the heaviest workload of all higher ed in Massachusetts. Adjunct (part-time) Faculty receive no benefits: no health insurance, no retirement, and no job security.

● Educators struggle to balance work with the increased support needs of students who require more mental health, wellness, and food/housing resources.

To fill these income shortfalls, a majority of our educators have to work another job to make ends meet, losing precious time with their families, time for rest, and time for continuing education. Shockingly, almost half of our education workers report struggling with food insecurity. Community College Educators shouldn’t need two jobs to survive! Because of this, faculty and staff often struggle to balance the needs of their students with their own wellbeing, risking burnout and exhaustion.

It is time to Elevate MassEducate! Community College educators must earn a living wage in order to support our students in the ways they deserve. Loving Community Colleges means investing in the success of faculty and professional staff, as well as students.

Please sign the petition and show your love for our community colleges here: https://bit.ly/m/fairpaymccc

Shannon Carroll (President, Middlesex Community College Professional Association) and Stacie Hargis (Middlesex Community College Professor & Director, Massachusetts Community College
Council)