SOUTH CHARLESTON, W. Va. – BridgeValley Community and Technical College President Dr. Casey K. Sacks was among a select group of higher education leaders invited to the White House Education Compact Roundtable today to discuss strategies for strengthening efficiency and accountability in American higher education.

Hosted by the White House Office of Public Liaison, the roundtable brought together education officials, policy leaders, and industry representatives to examine how colleges can reduce administrative bloat and deliver stronger outcomes for students and families.

In her remarks, Dr. Sacks shared how community colleges’ focused structure and workforce-driven mission demonstrate that higher education can be both efficient and effective.

“Community colleges have been doing what national policymakers are now calling for,” Dr. Sacks said. “We align programs directly with workforce needs, operate efficiently, and measure success by student employment outcomes. That’s what accountability looks like on the ground.”

At BridgeValley, institutional decisions are guided by real-time workforce data and active collaboration with employers. The college evaluates program demand continuously and shifts resources to areas where employers are hiring, ensuring efficiency without compromising educational quality.

“Community colleges are built to adapt quickly,” Dr. Sacks added. “When the economy changes, we evolve with it—working hand in hand with employers to ensure our students graduate with the skills the workforce needs most. That responsiveness is what makes our model so effective.” She also noted the national challenge community colleges face in recruiting qualified instructors in high-demand technical fields where private-sector wages outpace public-sector salaries.

The roundtable, part of a three-part Education Compact Series organized by the White House, spotlights institutions and strategies that deliver stronger returns on investment for students and taxpayers while addressing inefficiencies in the higher education system.