U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) toured Jefferson State Community College’s Chilton-Clanton Campus on Wednesday morning and talked to school and community leaders about the importance of education and the state’s two-year college system.

Sessions said the success of the Chilton-Clanton Campus since it opened in 2008 is an indicator of the community’s need for a two-year educational facility, where people can earn a college degree close to home and then join the workforce.

“I think our community colleges play a critical role in America,” Sessions said. “When education is closer to people, they can access it better.”

Dr. Judy Merritt, president of Jeff State, talked to Sessions during his visit about the county’s lack of a hospital for more than a year and Jeff State’s continuing role in preparing its nursing students to work in the healthcare field, namely in another local hospital in the future.

“We need medical services here, and that’s part of our job if we can to provide that,” Merritt said.

Sessions thanked school and community leaders Wednesday for their work in ensuring the campus progresses in areas such as enrollment and program offerings.

“This campus has proven itself already,” Sessions said. “Keep up the great work.”