Congressman Tim Bishop announced his introduction of the College and Job Opportunities for the Future Act at a press conference held at Southampton Graduate Campus on December 3. The bill will help students pay for college while receiving job training and work experience needed to be competitive in a tight job market. The money would be used to set up Co-operative education programs at colleges and universities which do not currently offer them. This type of education partners schools with businesses who place students in paying jobs where they learn valuable skills. Participating students often receive job offers from the companies which employ them, which gives them legitimate job experience while earning applicable credits. The bill currently has 28 co-sponsors. Bishop is a member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, which will consider the bill.

"Co-ops and internships are number one and two on the list of what employers look for in a candidate." said John McCrudden, Director of the College's Co-operative Education program. "This is how employers hire now. This is the way things are going to be in the future - Our Congressman recognizes this."

Bishop highlighted the success of the Southampton Graduate Campus Program, where 80 percent of the students have received job offers from the companies they worked with as undergraduate students. Bishop was joined by Provost Dan Rodas, McCrudden, current Southampton Graduate Campus student William Mandell and alums Adele Billups and Ann Crawley, who related their personal experiences with the program.