Russell Lowery Hart, chancellor of Austin Community College, told the Senate HELP Committee that community colleges are the nation's primary workforce education institutions and urged federal support for flexible financial aid and stronger transfer pathways.

"Our average student is named Ashley," Hart said, describing a typical student as a 27‑year‑old working parent attending part time and vulnerable to small financial shocks. He said Austin Community College serves 70,000 students across a territory larger than some states and has not raised tuition in 12 years; the district's free‑tuition program produced a roughly 40% increase in enrollment, Hart said.

Hart urged Congress to expand Pell eligibility and make aid flexible for short‑term and stackable credentials that lead directly to family‑sustaining jobs. He said part‑time Pell and credit‑transfer barriers are immediate threats: Hart told senators that 5,000 Austin Community College students taking 6–7 credit hours could lose Pell access under certain proposed changes, and he outlined data showing many community‑college students face food and housing insecurity.

Why it matters: Senators and witnesses agreed that improving credit transfer, dual‑enrollment alignment and short‑term Pell access could reduce time‑to‑degree, lower costs and supply the skilled workers employers seek. Hart described partnerships with employers such as Samsung and Tesla as examples of how colleges connect training to local labor demand.

Discussion vs. decision: The hearing captured testimony and questions but produced no formal committee directives. Senators from both parties expressed interest in bipartisan proposals such as the JOBS Act and short‑term Pell pilots.