A Stronger Nation

Society’s need for talent has never been more urgent. The nation needs at least 60 percent of adults to have a college degree, certificate, industry-recognized certification, or other credential of value by 2025.

To get there, we are working with business, community, education, and government leaders to restructure education and training systems that have granted exceptional opportunities to some while leaving many Black, Hispanic, Latino, and Native American adults behind.

This is the story of our work.

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Moving the nation toward higher learning for today’s student.

THE CHANGE WE SEEK

Quality learning that supports economic opportunity for all of us.

Everyone has the right to real opportunity.

No matter where you come from, what you look like, or how much money your family has, everyone should have what they need to learn, grow, and thrive. From that guiding principle, we work to ensure that:

  • More adults who are Black, Hispanic, Latino, or Native American can access programs that lead to credentials beyond a high school diploma.
  • Strong academic, financial, and social support is available to ensure everyone’s success.
  • Earning these credentials leads to good jobs, higher pay, and more opportunity to learn and serve others.
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THE PROMISE WE MAKE

Commitment to strategies that prioritize racial justice

Support proven approaches to produce fairer results.

We know that opportunity still isn’t equal in America; it’s highly dependent on who you are and where you come from. Because our education systems unfairly hold some people back, Lumina is committed to strategies that put racial equity first, ones that:

  • Focus state and federal policymakers on the need to prepare more individuals, especially people of color, for informed citizenship and success in a global economy.
  • Increase access to well-designed programs and pathways that address racial disparities in student outcomes.
  • Support institutions that serve today’s student, including community and technical colleges, bachelor’s-granting colleges and universities, minority-serving institutions, and state higher education systems.
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THE OUTCOME WE NEED

Individual talent for a stronger society

Education and training align with societal and economic needs.

Lumina focuses on how communities can have stronger, sustainable futures in the new talent economy by encouraging:

  • Greater economic opportunity and social mobility, regardless of race, ethnicity, income, or immigration status.
  • Fair representation of talent across the nation’s workforce.
  • A better-educated country prepared to meet tomorrow’s challenges.
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The path to 60% of adults with post-high school credentials

How are we working toward this goal?

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Strategies

  • Focus state and federal policymakers on the need to prepare more individuals, especially people of color, for informed citizenship and success in a global economy.
  • Increase access to well-designed programs and pathways that address racial disparities in student outcomes.
  • Support institutions that serve today’s student, including community and technical colleges, bachelor’s-granting colleges and universities, minority-serving institutions, and state higher education systems.
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Tactics

  • Talk about how to pursue education after high school.
  • Develop easier ways for people to enroll or re-enroll.
  • Increase use of proven student success practices.
  • Expand employer-aligned programs and partnerships.
  • Align education and training to today’s economy.
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Organizational Strengths

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Strategic Communication
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Human Network Design
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Innovation and Discovery Lab
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Data and Measurement

How will we know when we're successful?

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Short-Term Credentials
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Associate Degrees
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Bachelor’s Degrees

The nation needs this many more people than are on track to complete these credentials by 2025.

Our work continues until a seamless and just learning system meets society’s needs.

We must ensure the nation is prepared for 2025 and beyond.

We must see to it that at least 60 percent of adults will have college degrees or other credentials of value.