Husson University Complimented During Senate Committee Hearing

Published on: January 25, 2018

On Thursday, January 18, 2018, the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, held a full committee hearing on “Reauthorizing the Higher Education Act: Financial Aid Simplification and Transparency.” During the hearing, United States Senator from Maine, Susan Collins, discussed one of the many attributes that makes Husson University such an exceptional educational institution.

In speaking to Ms. Laura Keane, Chief Policy Officer of UAspire, Collins said, “I’ve seen firsthand students becoming discouraged from completing their degrees because they start to feel overwhelmed by college costs, debt going up, repayment… Sometimes I’ve heard their parents say, ‘Why are you accumulating all this debt, when you could be working right now, and earning money, and getting a job? That’s particularly true of first-generation college students. So Husson University in Bangor Maine, which was where I worked prior to my election to the Senate, requires all freshmen students to enroll in a one credit, student success seminar and it includes financial literacy, and other essential life skills development. What do you think of efforts like that?”

Keane replied, “I absolutely applaud the institution for doing that. I know our Vice President of Knowledge Holly Morrow at UAspire is often talking with me about the importance of financial literacy supports for students. It’s hard to counsel students if they don’t know the terms. We need to do better to set them up for success.”

In the near future, Husson University leaders will be sharing their views with Senator Collins’ staff about issues facing higher education. According to Collins staff member Katie Brown, “I know Senator Collins really appreciates your great insight.”