Lumina Foundation is working to increase the share of adults in the U.S. labor force with college degrees or other credentials of value leading to economic prosperity.
Short-term credentials are growing in popularity, and many states are stepping up with investments to build quality programs and training that lead to real economic opportunities. The FutureReady States initiative is helping to make it happen.
Twelve states have signed on to rethink how they invest in workforce credentials. And although every FutureReady State is pursuing the same goal—ensuring short-term credentials lead to economic prosperity—there is no single blueprint. Each state’s economy, workforce, political context, and education system shape a different approach. To that end, we’re excited to launch the first three FutureReady States profiles, a series of short pieces that highlight the policies and practices the 12 states are working on and why they chose those priorities.
Getting more students into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics has long been a higher education priority, but access alone doesn’t guarantee success. Recent efforts show colleges rethinking how they support students across the STEM pathway—from redesigning gateway math courses and expanding hands-on learning to strengthening career preparation and creating new avenues into technology careers.
Here are five approaches institutions are taking to help students succeed in STEM as advances in technology and a changing workforce reshape what they need from higher education.
California has become both a model and an exception nationally for the opportunities it offers undocumented students to earn a degree and enter its skilled workforce. Recently, the state has pioneered programs to help these students attend college and use their degrees after graduation.
Today, however, the federal immigration crackdown is undermining that track record of supporting undocumented individuals. As a result, many undocumented students struggle to understand the value of pursuing higher education, which experts warn could lead to a generational loss of talent.
U.S. colleges are increasingly slashing their African American studies and related programs, citing low enrollment and limited funding, at a time when the federal government is exerting intense pressure to end racial diversity efforts.
Some academics blame politics, pointing out that Republicans and the Trump administration have taken aim at scholarships, admissions policies, and other efforts to boost diversity. Several education watchers say the cuts are so deep that they could damage the pipeline for important research and training for new scholars for years to come.
College applications were up during the last admissions cycle, after a more diverse pool of students applied and students applied to more schools on average. But demographic shifts are expected to send enrollments diving in the coming years. At the same time, higher education is wrestling with public mistrust and concerns about the value of college, especially as artificial intelligence starts to reshape the workforce.
As schools prepare for a future with fewer students and more AI, approaches that make applying to college simpler—and more attractive to families—could help them cushion the impact.
Rising costs for food, housing, transportation, and other necessities are making it harder for Latino students to stay enrolled and complete college, according to a new UnidosUS report. The organization says these challenges are particularly significant at community colleges, which serve large numbers of Latino,
low-income, and first-generation students.
Researchers also found that family caregiving responsibilities, mental health stress, and transportation barriers can compound students’ difficulties. Many Latino students commute, work while enrolled, and contribute financially to their families, creating pressures that institutions often fail to recognize or address.
