The March jobs report adds to a pile of conclusive evidence that most of the jobs being created in today’s economy require an education beyond high school. Jobs that demand a post-high school credential have been leading the recovery, with 9 million college jobs added since 2007. Meanwhile, 6.3 million jobs for high-school-educated workers are gone, and they’re not coming back.
U.S. Secretary of Education John King Jr. has just shy of 10 months in his post before the next administration takes over. But that doesn’t mean he’s a caretaker—far from it. Indeed, Secretary King has many opportunities to have a real and lasting influence on the trajectory of education in the country. An ideal opportunity to create an outsized impact is by leveraging his position to advance higher education equity.
Jamie Merisotis shares what financial aid recipients need to know about getting the most out of their money.
Indiana has a huge unmet need for workers with the skills and knowledge required to fill 21st century jobs and fuel our state’s economic growth. Consider that by the end of this decade, at least 55 percent of Hoosier jobs will require some form of education beyond high school. And we’re falling woefully behind in meeting that demand. Only 34 percent of adult Hoosiers acquired a two- or four-year degree as of last year. This places us 40th among states in higher education attainment in a nation that, on the whole, faces a looming talent gap.
The 21st century is shaping up to be a golden age for cities, with growth in U.S. municipalities projected to create an even stronger urban majority in coming decades. The cities that emerge as exemplars in this era will focus on a common ingredient: talent. Their future successes will be shaped—in large part—by their ability to hone the pool of critical human capital needed to fuel this century’s workforce.
Higher education institutions must redesign and reinvent themselves to reflect the realities of today’s students, today’s economy and today’s highly competitive marketplace.
The US Department of Education’s recent move enabling students to use financial aid for programs not typically considered “college” landed without fanfare. But the pilot program could have a big impact on thinking about education beyond high school in New England, home to some of the best-known higher education institutions.
Exclusive Ideagen Interview by George Sifakis with Jamie Merisotis, CEO of Lumina Foundation and Author of America Needs Talent
In America Needs Talent, Lumina President and CEO Jamie Merisotis describes a broad fix to the talent pool problem that includes immigration policy shifts and the creation of a new U.S. Department of Talent, which would absorb the U.S. Department of Education. Paul Fain of Inside Higher Ed asks Merisotis some questions about his book and what the proposals would mean for higher education.
Lumina President and CEO Jamie Merisotis shares his thoughts on the state of postsecondary education today, explains the thinking that went into crafting Lumina's goal, and outlines a vision for a more equitable, innovative, student-centered higher education system of the future.