Joe Biden’s name is a familiar one across Delaware, from Wilmington’s train station to the Biden family service plaza on I-95. Now, his wife, First Lady Jill Biden, is receiving a similar honor. On Friday afternoon, Delaware Technical Community College dedicated its newly renovated Student Success Center at the Stanton campus in her name.
Jill Biden has strong ties to Delaware Tech, having taught English and writing there from 1993 to 2009. At the dedication ceremony, she reflected on her unexpected recognition. It’s good to be home, she said, noting her love for community colleges and the role they play in creating opportunities for students.
She praised Delaware Tech for offering a flexible, supportive environment that helps students reach their goals, noting the important work done in spaces like the Student Success Center, which provides academic support, career counseling, and workforce development.
Since becoming first lady, Biden has continued to champion community colleges, teaching at Northern Virginia Community College while advocating for policies to support them.
The newly renovated center at Delaware Tech reflects these priorities.
Dan Ehmann, the vice president of Stanton Campus, remarked on how much the college had improved since Biden’s time teaching there, recalling outdated conditions like leaking windows and old carpeting. The renovation is part of a larger $159 million project to upgrade facilities across the college’s campuses.
Biden emphasized the center’s role as a resource for students, offering mentorship, guidance, and career connections, highlighting the important role community colleges play in helping people access well-paying jobs.
Nursing graduate Tashuana Clarke shared her personal success story, crediting her achievements to the Joe and Jill Biden Scholarship and the support she received from faculty at Delaware Tech.
U.S. Senator Chris Coons praised Jill Biden for her leadership and commitment to education, particularly her work supporting community colleges. Delaware Tech President Mark Brainard also thanked her for her continued advocacy, especially during the pandemic, when the college played a vital role in supporting the community.