Lumina Foundation is committed to increasing the proportion of Americans with high-quality degrees, certificates and other credentials to 60 percent by 2025.
The devastation of recent hurricanes in the U.S. Southeast brings a sobering reminder that none of us can ignore the growing dangers of climate change.
This reality shows us why every sector of philanthropy needs to think about the implications of climate change and find a role in cultivating solutions. While we have carved out interest areas—health, education, the arts—and dug in deep to drive meaningful change, a global threat to our very existence requires philanthropy to look outside its silos, contend three leaders in public policy and higher education in this op-ed.
It’s been more than four years since the murder of George Floyd, which contributed to a racial reckoning in this country. In response, American corporations and universities began accelerating the implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs designed to make everyone feel supported.
But in the years since, DEI programs have been under attack. In at least 20 states, Republican lawmakers are pushing to limit or ban DEI initiatives at public universities. Twelve states have already passed new laws restricting them. Education reporter Kirk Carapezza weighs in on the pushback of DEI programs in this interview.
Technical glitches and bureaucratic delays with the 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid prevented many students from completing the application and receiving timely aid offers this year.
While newly released data show the hurdles didn’t result in a precipitous decline in college enrollments as predicted, some students and colleges are still contending with the fallout and worry about the next application cycle.
When the federally funded Good Jobs Challenge launched amid the pandemic, it did so with $500 million in grants and the topline goal of helping 50,000 Americans break into jobs that were both in demand and could sustain a family.
After two years, the effort has enrolled nearly 30,000 people in job training, placing 8,700 of them in "good jobs." And while each project is different, community colleges are emerging as key factors in driving economic mobility among underserved populations—a main goal of the challenge.
Three key state bond issues on the ballot this November could provide more resources to higher education institutions in California, New Mexico, and Rhode Island if voters sign off. Voters in Utah will also weigh in on a ballot question to boost funding for colleges without the state taking on more debt.
Where and how funding will be applied varies from state to state, ranging from improving the basic functionality of community college buildings to increasing the investment in innovation and technology at flagships. But all four ballot measures seem to have more support than opposition as Election Day nears.
In the historically close matchup between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald J. Trump, the youth vote and the extent to which young people turn out on Nov. 5 could help determine the election’s outcome. When the Institute of Politics polled eligible voters ages 18 to 29, 56 percent said they “definitely” planned to cast their ballot. Fifty percent of Americans in that age bracket voted four years ago, the third-highest turnout since the voting age was lowered to 18 in 1971.
Six first-time voters share the issues driving them to the polls this year and what they’ll be thinking about as they fill out their ballots.
