Photo: Amanda J. Cain

Climate change can spark heated debate, but many experts believe there is no better place than higher education to have a productive dialogue that will lead to concrete solutions.

Doing so can motivate students and launch a new era of innovation, deeper citizen engagement, and the creation of a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient economy and world, say some college leaders.

By the time they graduate, they will have spent all four of their high school years in some stage of the pandemic, experiencing major changes in the way they learn and socialize. They’re also facing culture wars in their schools, rising school shootings, and a job market being disrupted by artificial intelligence.

Here & Now is following a group of students of different backgrounds across the country to hear their thoughts on issues shaping the world as they move forward into adulthood.

More than 280,000 individuals in Maine began their college journey but left without a degree. A new program aims to get them back on track with financial support, scholarships, and tailored services. Each student in the initiative will also be assigned a personal advisor.

The "Finish Strong" adult degree completion effort is being launched in spring 2024 by the University of Maine and will target adult Mainers ages 25 and older with some college or no four-year degree. Finish Strong also focuses on Maine's immigrant communities, including refugees, those granted asylum, and asylum seekers.