CAC in Action: Standing Up for Higher Ed Reform at the Department of Education Hearing
Members of PPSL’s Community Action Council, which launched earlier this spring, are already stepping into action—and up to the microphone. At this month’s public hearing with the Department of Education, they shared their powerful personal stories, calling on the Department of Education to put an end to predatory practices in higher education and provide relief to current and future borrowers from fraudulent student loan debt.
The hearing was part of the Department of Education’s negotiated rulemaking for 2025-2026, which provides the public with an opportunity to share feedback on regulations and suggest ways to improve programs for students, institutions, and stakeholders. Public hearings are an important part of the process, putting a human face to the regulatory issues that policy makers are considering.
With the backdrop of President Trump’s executive order to begin dismantling the Department of Education as well as major detrimental changes to the student loan program included in the recent House reconciliation bill, this public comment hearing brought an even greater sense of urgency. Five members of the CAC shared their experiences.
Lucinda Sanchez
“I believed that if I invested my time, my money, and my dreams, the system would invest in me, too.”
Lucinda Sanchez, a first-generation college student, applied for borrower defense after being exploited by DeVry University. She took the stand at the public hearing, explaining how fraudulent practices derailed the investments she made toward her future.
Listen to Lucinda’s statement to hear the full story behind her advocacy.
Alexis Stanley
“This isn’t just an administrative failure; It’s a failure of justice.”
One of many students targeted by Florida Coastal School of Law’s deceptive marketing tactics, Alexis Stanley, was left to cope with debilitating federal loan debt. While she took the initiative to apply for borrower defense, the slow processing and application backlog has left her and hundreds of thousands of other borrowers in limbo.
At the hearing, Alexis advocated for more transparent and efficient processes for accessing loan repayment plans and forgiveness.
Watch Alexis’ testimony to learn why she strives for change.
Alyse Hammonds
“Many schools have learned how to profit from the system – not by educating, but by exploiting.”
Because of predatory student lending practices at Arizona Summit School of Law, Alyse Hammonds accrued hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt for courses that were worthless. She experienced homelessness and underemployment. Thanks to borrower defense, her debt was finally cleared, enabling her to purchase her first home.
While Alyse has found relief, she uses her voice to advocate on behalf of those who are still struggling due to predatory lending.
Watch the public hearing to check out Alyse’s full story.
Lovisha J. Williams
“The Department of Education should be working on improving programs, not shutting them down or limiting access.”
ITT Technical Institute defrauded Lovisha J. Williams. After working toward her degree for eight years, ITT Technical Insititute left Lovisha burdened with debt and college credits that other educational institutions or employers did not recognize. Knowing what it feels like to be targeted by fraudulent institutions, she is taking a stand on behalf of borrowers across the country.
Listen to Lovisha’s story to hear her call for change.
Dr. Rita Jones
“The emotional and financial toll has been devastating, but what’s even more heartbreaking is knowing that my story is far from unique.”
Dr. Rita Jones holds two advanced degrees, but because of Grand Canyon University and Capella University’s false advertising, neither have provided her with the necessary credentials to pursue her dream career.
Knowing she’s not the only borrower who has experienced this exploitation, Rita is sharing her testimony with the hope that her voice will create change.
Take a listen to Rita’s testimony to learn her story.
For each Community Action Council member participating in the public hearing, it was both deeply meaningful and empowering.
“What inspired me most during the hearing was seeing just how many people were on the call, advocating for student borrowers, sharing their personal stories, and pushing for real change. It truly took me back. I was moved by the collective energy and passion in the (virtual) room,” Dr. Rita Jones shared after the hearing.
For Lovisha J. Williams, elevating the voices of borrowers is the best way to make people listen: “I hope to see these predatory schools acknowledge responsibility for their actions, and with us speaking louder and louder, it will bring about change.”
The Community Action Council is an eight-person collective of borrower advocates that work alongside PPSL to fight against predatory student lending practices.
Read more about borrower defense here and click here to watch the full public hearing.
