Dr. Biden soon to host community college summit

The vice president's wife will soon host a White House summit on strengthening the nation's community colleges, the Obama administration announced Tuesday.

Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton later indicated over Twitter that Dr. Jill Biden's office would release more details about that summit in the coming weeks, as the event approaches. Its focus will be on "educating our way to a better economy," a senior administration told reporters on Tuesday.

Nevertheless, the announcement arrives as the White House plans to sign into law a comprehensive college financial aid overhaul, passed as part of Democrats' healthcare reconciliation package.

President Barack Obama plans to approve that legislation at an event on Tuesday at Northern Virginia Community College, located not far from the Capitol.

Both Dr. Biden and the president have long touted community colleges as affordable alternatives to more expensive public and private four-year institutions.

Obama even announced in July 2009 a $12 billion, 10-year initiative to boost two-year community college graduation rates, citing the new program as a way to boost economic recovery and help students obtain well-paying jobs.

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