By Noah Zucker

DOVER — A few state lawmakers are hoping to expand access to community college to bolster the state’s economy for the post-pandemic world.

“The Student Excellence Equals Degree program, better known as SEED, has already helped more than 13,000 local high school graduates earn college credits at Delaware Technical Community College,” said Sen. Nicole Poore, D-New Castle.

But the new SEED+ legislation, introduced Tuesday, would expand the program greatly.

“This legislation will help hundreds of Delawareans get back on their feet, so they can build a brighter future for their families,” said Sen. Poore, Senate Bill 12’s primary sponsor.

The SEED program, a scholarship initiative specifically for potential DelTech students, currently provides tuition-free learning at any of the community college’s campuses for graduates of Delaware high schools, provided they meet certain eligibility requirements.

“Eligibility in SEED is limited to recent high school graduates with a 2.5 GPA or higher and no previous felony convictions,” Sen. Poore said.

Removing those eligibility requirements will help many who would benefit most from education take advantage, she added. By eliminating the requirement that students enroll immediately after high school, allowing some felons to participate and expanding the scholarship eligibility to up to 10 semesters, Sen. Poore hopes the program will be able to reach more students.

“It’s not just a high school student who needs a hand up right now,” Sen. Poore said.

“For many of our neighbors, the economy is beginning to pick up, and (they) are getting back to work. But for some, their old jobs may never return,” she said. “That’s why expanding SEED to reach those adults who would benefit most from learning new job skills is critical.”

Jonathan Bernal, a current DelTech student studying biology through the SEED program, said its expansion would allow some of his adult relatives to pursue higher education.

“I have a lot of family, and they all want to continue their education,” he said. “But now, they have their own kids, and they have to care for their families, so they’re scared to continue their education because they don’t have the financial freedom they did when they were younger.”

He added, “They want to change their jobs, and I think that’s perfectly fine. It shouldn’t be limited because of financial reasons.”

After he finishes his program at DelTech, Mr. Bernal said he will graduate debt-free. He hopes to continue his studies at the University of Delaware and become a doctor.

Pam Ridgeway, chief diversity officer and vice president of talent at ChristianaCare, said the SEED+ program will allow even more Delawareans to follow Mr. Bernal’s path and fill important medical roles in the aftermath of COVID-19.

“COVID reiterated the need for a robust and diverse health care workforce, one that can provide quality care and meet the challenges head-on,” she said.

“That’s why we support the legislation,” Ms. Ridgeway said. “Expanding access to higher education and encouraging Delawareans to pursue careers in health care will help us build our workforce.”

Mark Brainard, DelTech’s president, is also excited about SEED+. He thinks it will prepare his students, and by extension the rest of the state, for the modern economy.

“So many jobs have changed and will continue to change going into the future,” he said.

“Georgetown University published a study a year or two ago that said, eventually, 65% of the jobs in the economy will require some kind of post-high school credential,” Mr. Brainard said. “Those credentials aren’t necessarily master’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees or even associate degrees. Those credentials could (be) in health care, (information technology) or advanced manufacturing.”

He added that, in recent years, between 60% and 70% of DelTech’s graduating classes have entered the workforce debt-free, meaning they’re in a better position than many graduates nationwide to either maintain or achieve a middle-class existence.

“Our need to invest in and rebuild our nation’s middle class has been made more apparent than ever by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has taken a tremendous toll on Delaware’s economy and the working-class people of our state,” Sen. Poore said.

“While we know postsecondary education and training can help families earn more, pursuing that education can become all but unattainable when you’re living paycheck to paycheck,” she said.

“As we near the end of this crisis, we owe it to the families to help them achieve a better life than the ones they left in March of 2020,” Sen. Poore said.

“This is an economic-development strategy as much as this is a direct relief to our constituents impacted by COVID.”

SB 12 has not been officially filed yet. The General Assembly is currently on break but will return Tuesday.