Packed House Discusses Ways to Support Universities, Forms Student Advisory Council, Tours Dr. Pan's Sacramento State District Office

Sacramento - Dr. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) and Mayor Kevin Johnson joined with students, faculty and staff at Sacramento State University today for a discussion on ways to support higher education in California and the Sacramento region.

"The people of Sacramento really understand that health and education investments always pay off in terms of the economy and quality of life," said Dr. Pan, a UC Davis professor and pediatrician. "Sacramento State and our systems of higher education are a proven success story when it comes to what made California's economy so strong. When we look at all the ways higher education pays off in terms of job training, the arts and technological innovation, who wouldn't want to invest in continuing that kind of success?"

"In the global economy we're competing for skilled, high-wage jobs that can help bring our economy back, and our universities are central in this effort," Johnson said. "For Sacramento's workforce to be competitive, we must support cutting edge education where we're seeing this kind of training occur."

Approximately 150 participants joined the conversation and many asked questions about what campus community members can do to support higher education. Many participants signed up for Dr. Pan's new Student Advisory Council, which meets monthly with Dr. Pan and his staff to discuss actions and legislation that with strengthen higher education. One of those students was nursing student Katelyn Oxford.

"It's interesting to hear from Dr. Pan because he has a background in education and health care, two things I feel strongly that we should support," Oxford said. "It's extremely upsetting for me as a student today. I have to take out huge student loans to pay for skyrocketing tuition rates, then turn around and pay huge APR on those loans. I want to be part of the conversation that addresses these issues."

After the meeting, Dr. Pan invited participants to his Sacramento State University Assembly District Office, which is the first Assembly district office to be located at a university in state history.

"Having Dr. Pan's Assembly District Office located at Sacramento State will give students the unique opportunity to connect directly with their elected official to ensure their leadership is serving both students and the community's best interests," Johnson said.

"In less than a year we've had dozens of interns working in our office across the hallway here, or at the Capitol downtown," Dr. Pan added. "All of their unique training and studies have really contributed to the work we're doing representing Sacramento in the State Assembly."

Dr. Richard Pan is a father, pediatrician, educator, small business owner and first-term Assemblymember who lives in Sacramento. He also represents the Cities of Citrus Heights and Folsom and surrounding areas.

CONTACT: Brian O'Hara, (916) 319-2005