The president of Northern Arizona University testified Wednesday before the U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor on the role of Minority Serving Institutions.

During his testimony, President José Luis Cruz Rivera called for more funds to be invested in universities and institutions that help open the door to higher education for underserved communities. 

Rivera said Black kindergarteners are half as likely in their lifetime to get a bachelor's degree, and “students from high-income families are approximately five times as likely as students from low-income families to obtain a bachelor's degree by the age of 24.”

The Subcommittee On Higher Education and Workforce Investments, which heard the testimonies, will host a hearing from Tribal Colleges.