Last Friday, the House passed the Build Back Better Act after months of back and forth negotiations in Congress over the breadth and cost of the bill. 

While the allocation for higher education is significantly scaled down from President Joe Biden’s original proposal—and the historic investment to make community college free did not make the final bill—Build Back Better shows a strong commitment to higher education equity, affordability, and success. 

Five years ago, Miriam Cortés, then 33, found herself juggling massive college debt and unable to pay her bills despite working full time as a substitute teacher and holding several other part-time jobs. 

Cortés is exactly the type of woman Ada Developers Academy aims to help—smart and motivated, but stuck in a job or career that, for whatever reason, isn’t right for them.

Photo: Amanda Lopez

Helen Muradyan, a second-year resident physician, stopped working last month. But not because her skills aren’t needed. Muradyan, an immigrant from Armenia, had to stop working because the U.S. government didn't process her application to renew her work permit. 

She's not alone. The pandemic kept some would-be immigrants out of this country. But others already here and working legally are being forced out of the labor market because of bureaucratic delays.