News and views in higher education attainment from Lumina Foundation

Featured Story

Adult Pathways

Reaching the ‘transfer gate’ spells college success

Nearly two-thirds of Black students who attend college in California begin their postsecondary journey at a community college. But it’s clear they’re not getting the support they need—more than 60 percent leave school without a degree or certificate and without transferring to a university.

Wendy SedlakNov. 21, 2022

Kathy Huffman

Research and Evaluation

“Invisible” catalysts get lasting results for adult students

Catalysts for change often work quietly, but their results speak loud and clear. At education organizations, they’re the people who build strong relationships across stakeholders, support and empower others to design and drive the work, and embrace a “student first” orientation to center students’ needs and aspirations over institutions’.

Wendy Sedlak Nov. 3, 2022

The house of power imbalance.

Federal Policy

We all benefit from diversity in college admissions—Let’s not go backward now

Oral arguments before the Supreme Court at the end of this month will provide a dramatic setting for the national debate over the fairness of race-conscious admissions in higher education.

Jamie Merisotis Oct. 28, 2022

Featured Podcast

Communications

Understanding Public Narratives About Workforce and Higher Education

Dakota PawlickiOct. 27, 2022

Racial Justice and Equity

Community colleges dedicated to helping Black students are finding new support

Lumina Foundation has committed $1 million to partner with Complete College America to support historically Black colleges as they break down barriers, increase attainment, create essential networks, and build platforms to amplify their vital role.

Amber Garrison DuncanAug. 26, 2021

Adult Pathways

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 KalebaMay 10, 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

Today's 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