Recognizing Dr. Kathrine B. Swanson for Her Achievements with Metropolitan Community College Longview Campus

Floor Speech

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Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with immense, everlasting gratitude in recognition of the long and fruitful career of Dr. Kathrine B. Swanson, the outgoing president of Metropolitan Community College's (MCC) Longview campus. Dr. Swanson has dedicated over 40 years of her life to service in higher education, demonstrating a lifelong commitment to student success that has benefitted MCC-Longview and Missouri's Fifth Congressional District as a whole. Today, I invite us all to take a moment to reflect on Dr. Swanson's contributions to her community in honor of her well-earned retirement.

Dr. Swanson's journey as a professional in higher education takes us across the country. She first received her bachelor's degree in business management from Northern Michigan University, going on to complete a master's in adult and higher education from Montana State University. Lastly, she earned her doctorate in higher education administration from the University of North Texas. Dr. Swanson has dedicated the majority of her career to working in community colleges, being firm in her conviction that quality education should not be unattainable for underserved communities. Before arriving at MCC, she served as the associate dean of students at Collin County Community College in McKinney, Texas, and in several leadership positions, including vice president for student affairs, at Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. Through a lifetime of such distinguished service, Dr. Swanson has clearly showcased her commitment to bettering her community through education.

Dr. Swanson came to the Fifth Congressional District in 2015 when she was hired as vice chancellor for student success and engagement at MCC. In this role, she worked tirelessly to increase student civic engagement outside the classroom, expand financial aid for students in need, and support a promising young generation of new leaders for our community. Dr. Swanson quickly took an active role in strengthening the community herself, working frequently with local chambers of commerce, economic development councils, and community partners, and even serving on the boards of Saint Luke's East Hospital and Lee's Summit Creates, a local nonprofit working to promote community art. Such involvement demonstrates Dr. Swanson's dedication not just to MCC-Longview, but also to the broader citizenry of Missouri's Fifth Congressional District.

Dr. Swanson's tireless work in service of her college and community has been recognized and rewarded by both students and staff. On August 1, 2021, she was appointed the president of MCC's Longview campus, while continuing to serve in her role as vice chancellor for student success and engagement until June of 2023. To cap off her already distinguished career, student leaders at MCC-Longview elected to honor Dr. Swanson with Phi Theta Kapa International Honor Society's prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in April 2024. This honor, one worthy of being bestowed upon Dr. Swanson, is reserved for those few college leaders who have gone above and beyond to support student success initiatives and rear the newest cohort of leaders for our society.

Education is the cornerstone of the American experience. It enables students to support themselves and ultimately support their community as they rise to answer the call of leadership to live out a constantly evolving, perpetually improving society. Without education, none of this advancement would be possible, and without college leaders like Dr. Swanson, there would be no education. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Dr. Kathrine B. Swanson on an immensely successful and deeply fulfilling career in service to MCC-Longview, the people of Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, and beyond.

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