Claremont, Calif. (October 30, 2013) — Pitzer College alumnus and California State Senator Kevin de León ’03 received the Policymaker of the Year Award from the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU) in honor of his efforts to increase access to higher education for all students regardless of their financial means.
Kevin de León ’03 and Pitzer College President Laura Skandera Trombley.
During the most recent legislative session, de León authored two bills that would create the College Access Tax Credit Fund, designed to strengthen the Cal Grant program, which provides state-funded financial support to California college students. As a member of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, de León championed Cal Grants, arguing that they need to serve both public and private university students.
“College graduates are the most critical part of the engine that drives California’s economy,” de León said. “We must not only work to prevent the cuts, but take action to increase state support of education.”
Pitzer President Laura Skandera Trombley introduced de León at the awards ceremony during the annual AICCU Presidents Retreat at Pepperdine University on October 24, 2013.
Kevin de León graduated from Pitzer with a degree in politics of education and has served the 22nd Senatorial District since 2011. Previously, he was elected to the California State Assembly for the 45th District. He also has worked for California Teachers Association and the National Education Association.
Founded in 1955, the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities represents 75 private nonprofit colleges and universities in California. The core mission of AICCU institutions is to improve lives through higher education.
