Scott Ralls, president of the N.C. Community College System, will be in Washington D.C. today for the first White House Summit on Community Colleges, an event hosted by Jill Biden, wife of vice president Joe Biden. Jill Biden teaches at a community college in northern Virginia.

The summit, which will be streamed live on the White House website, will bring together a collection of community college administrators, faculty and students as well as business leaders to discuss federal and state policy issues concerning higher education.

Ralls spoke to the News & Observer Monday about the summit. Here are excerpts.

This is the first community college summit. What is the significance of that?

There's been more discussion about community colleges in the last 12 to 18 months than maybe in our previous years of existence. We've seen the growth of interest nationally over the last few years when presidents started mentioning them in State of the Union speeches. I think we've grown out of the shadows in higher education.

Why?

A couple of things. Community colleges are so jobs-focused that because of the recession, the attention on community colleges rises. Secondarily, but related to long-term economic prosperity - there's been  a lot of attention on college completion rates, the need for citizens broadly to gain post-secondary credentials, which for us means diplomas and industry certifications as well as degrees.

Because of that need, almost half of undergraduates are community college students. There's a realization that to meet national goals, it requires community colleges.

What can the federal government offer community colleges?

Like any part of government, we have funding challenges. I don't know that I or anyone else expect a great deal of funding resources, but I think the federal government plays a role in higher education funding. Community colleges have not received a great deal of federal funding in the past, but I think there are opportunities for the federal government to support community colleges.

There's a great network of workforce development and there's an opportunity for more in that regard. One of our greatest challenges right now is facilities. As much as we've grown in the last two years, and in North Carolina we've grown 23 percent in the last two years, we still face great capacity issues, which limit our abilities to reach more citizens.

Can you do some of it online?

Community colleges are typically the ones most out in front in distance education and that's the case in North Carolina. On average, our degree students take at least two classes online. Part of that is due to our student population.on average, our students are closer to 30 years of age than 20, so distance education is a way of life. But you can't do everything through distance education.

We don't teach distance education welding classes. Most classes can be made more efficient by distance education and many can be taught entirely by distance education, but many require experience in shops and labs, hands-on experience.

 What is the primary challenge facing community colleges that you hope gets discussed in Washington?

Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, will make her acting debut tonight (playing herself) on the Lifetime series "Army Wives."

Dr. Biden visits the fictional Fort Marshall to kickoff the post's annual Fun Run benefit, and to talk to some of the characters about the challenges military families face while loved ones are deployed.

Many real Army wives are also expected to appear in the episode.

In the episode, Dr. Biden tells a crowd: "I'm proud to be here today as a second lady, but I'm even more proud to be here as a military mom." The Bidens' son Beau Biden returned last year from deployment in Iraq with the Army National Guard.

The Devil's Teardrop (8pm, Lifetime Movie Network) - An original movie based on a bestselling novel by Jeffrey Deaver in which a handwriting specialist (Tom Everett Scott, right) retired from the FBI helps a special agent investigate a serial murderer. All while battling his ex-wife (Rena Sofer) for custody of their kids.

The Uprising (8pm, Animal Planet) - A new documentary tracing the increase in aggressive animal behavior toward humans. They must have found about all that laboratory testing. Narrated by Richard Belzer ("Law & Order: SVU).

Speed of Life (8pm, Discovery) - A new Discovery series in which photographers capture images from nature with high speed cameras. Three episodes tonight: Africa's wildlife at 8, Central American Rain Forest creatures at 9, and predators and prey in the American Southwest at 10.

Hoarding: Buried Alive (8pm, TLC) - A new season of the TLC hoarding show which is almost exactly like the A&E hoarding show (which came first, incidentally).

Rubicon (9pm, AMC) - Katherine is still trying to figure out why her husband committed suicide and why he had a second secret home.  Meanwhile, David's son wants the motorcycle David gave to Will (James Badge Dale, left) just before his death, which leads Will to uncover another set of clues about David's fatal accident.

Army Wives (10pm, Lifetime) - Dr. Jill Biden guest stars as herself, visiting base to discuss challenges facing military familes whose relatives have been deployed. Read more about it here.

Mad Men (10pm, AMC) - Don takes a trip to Acapulco while Lane and Joan have a major disagreement at the office. Also, Joan does a little family planning.

Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, will make a special appearance on the Lifetime drama "Army Wives" in August.

Dr. Biden will appear as herself, showing up at the fictional Fort Marshall to kickoff the post's annual Fun Run. While on base, she'll talk to some of the characters about the challenges families face while loved ones are deployed. The network says many real Army wives will be featured in the episode, too.

Dr. Biden and First Lady Michelle Obama have both been active in efforts to raise awareness of the challenges facing military families.

Ok, all you Michelle Obama naysayers ... So if you didn't like Michelle's white one-shoulder gown, how did you feel about Jill Biden's red strapless dress?

I just loved it. I think the best part was that she picked a silhouette that showed off a little of what seems to be an awesome body. She's got a great shoulders and arms and she wasn't afraid to let the world see them (and she's 57!). The dress got a little sexy with the horseshoe shaped dip at her bust but then it was back to business with the high waist.

The other reason I liked it? I'm a serious sucker for a red gown, especially to an event like an inaugural ball. It just feels festive and celebratory.

By the way, Lebanese designer Reem Acra made the dress. Acra is known for her amazing gowns, including her stunning wedding dresses, that help women accentuate their best features.

Under that red coat, it turns out Jill Biden was wearing a belted gray houndstooth dress by Milly from the holiday collection (see pic to the right).

Cost? $360. Sensibly priced (considering it was for her husband's inauguration) and stylish. I understand why she wanted to wear knee-high boots with the dress, but I think the whole look could have looked more polished with a pair of classic pumps and dark tights.

It just tickles me, though, that she picked a dress by Milly. The designer brand, which is sold locally at stores such as Uniquities, Beanie + Cecil and Fleur, typical attracts a younger shopper but one who likes a feminine, contemporary style.

(Hoping to find a picture of Biden in the dress to post soon!)