News and views in higher education attainment from Lumina Foundation

Featured Story

Racial Justice and Equity

Our children will deliver the final verdict. It will hinge on building a racially just society.

In the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, guilty on all counts in the death of George Floyd, the verdict stands as a historic moment in the nation’s quest for racial justice. It is a decision we should treat with solemnity and gratitude. Still, a just verdict in a single, high-profile case is…

Jamie MerisotisApril 20, 2021

William Serrata sitting at a desk in a suit and tie.

Lumina News

El Paso Advocate for First-Generation and Hispanic Students Joins Lumina’s Board

INDIANAPOLIS – El Paso Community College President William Serrata has joined Lumina Foundation’s Board of Directors, which today concluded its spring meeting. Earlier this year, the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education honored Serrata for early career achievements.

April 8, 2021

A technician measures a machined piece of round brass with calipers.

Research and Evaluation

Education: The key to real opportunity—during the pandemic and beyond

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed any number of inequities in American life, but probably none more glaring than the widening gap between the haves and the have-nots. A key determination between the two is education beyond high school.

Courtney Brown April 7, 2021

Featured Podcast

Racial Justice and Equity

Time for change in this critical moment for higher ed racial equity, cost of college

Dakota PawlickiJan. 12, 2021

Amber Garrison Duncan

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Amber Garrison Duncan

Amber Garrison Duncan is a strategy director at Lumina Foundation, where she leads a portfolio of work that supports the creation of a system in which student success and credential attainment are scaled up significantly, particularly in community colleges.

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Adult Learners

States are using fast, short-term credentials to get workers back on their feet.

In recent years, the debates about proposals to expand the federal Pell Grant program to pay for short-term workforce programs offered at community colleges have been lively. Several states have taken matters into their own hands, using federal stimulus dollars to provide aid to adult learners seeking short-term certificates and certifications. These state initiatives offer essential…

Amber Garrison Duncan, Kermit KalebaMarch 24, 2021

Racial Justice and Equity

How colleges and states can help students caught in the pandemic ‘swirl’

As we discussed in our first blog post on “student swirl,” the reality that is starting to emerge is that many of today’s students’ educational journeys are changing as childcare, school openings, and jobs are still uncertain.

Haley Glover, Amber Garrison DuncanJuly 31, 2020

Racial Justice and Equity

Standing Up for Students Amid the Pandemic Learning ‘Swirl’

Higher education is in turmoil. Over the past few months, we’ve reached out to dozens of higher education leaders—presidents, policy experts, researchers, and governors, too.

Amber Garrison Duncan, Haley GloverJune 23, 2020

Human Work and Learning

In this recovery, states are leading the way with credential pathways to good jobs

Long before the pandemic and economic crisis hit early this year, states were working to prepare citizens for the workforce of tomorrow. Well, tomorrow is here. We are in the midst of the most devastating economic crisis we’ve ever known, layered on top of a deadly public health crisis.

Amber Garrison DuncanJune 4, 2020

Competency-Based Learning

As companies change hiring policies, do college degrees still matter?

At least 14 large employers (including Apple, IBM, and Google), have dropped four-year degree requirements in favor of skills-based hiring.

Amber Garrison DuncanJan. 23, 2019

Credentials

What if finding your career was as easy as finding lunch?

In Indianapolis, where Lumina Foundation is based, the historic City Market houses all kinds of places to grab a bite. From burgers to crepes to falafel, you can find it here.

Amber Garrison DuncanNov. 14, 2018

Competency-Based Learning

Conference to share CBE experiences, focus on best practices

Join the growing network of higher education leaders and innovators at this year's CBExchange conference on competency-based education, Sept. 20-22 in Phoenix.

Amber Garrison DuncanJuly 28, 2017