Community College Awaits Obama With Faith, Hope, and Skepticism

Warren, Mich. — It is one thing to tell the world you want community colleges to produce five million more graduates by the year 2020, a goal that will anchor President Obama’s speech here this afternoon. It is another thing to sit down with a professor like Arthur W. Knapp and talk about how.

Over breakfast in a diner across from Macomb Commuty College, where Mr. Obama will speak and where Mr. Knapp teaches, the professor considered the money proposed and the number of colleges that might divide it up. He did some rough calculations and reached a tentative conclusion: Not enough. Then the 64-year-old professor scooped up some more eggs and broke into a smile.

“He’s not going to want to hear that,” the professor said, referring to Mr. Obama.

But Mr. Knapp’s skepticism is mixed with plenty of hope as the president visits Macomb, a suburban Detroit college grappling with the fallout from the crisis in the auto industry. It’s rare for a president to roll out a major policy announcement at a community college. The presidential visit thrilled students facing uncertain job prospects upon graduation.

“Our unemployment rate is outrageous,” said Joseph S. Jovanovic, a student who lined up at the security gate hours in advance for Mr. Obama’s speech. “I hope that he does bring us hope.” —Marc Parry