President Barack Obama has set a bold goal that, by 2020, America will once again have the highest proportion in college graduates in the world, arguing that every American should have access to at least one year of postsecondary education.
Given the population growth rates and the size of the U.S. workforce, attaining the president’s goal will require assistance for many Americans who have not traditionally completed postsecondary credentials. This will mean an "affordability plus" approach that invests in preparing colleges and universities to provide quality education experiences that help working Americans, underserved youth and under-prepared populations actually succeed in college and obtain a credential of value to employers. There will have to be new approaches to teaching and learning, technology and partnerships that reach beyond the walls of higher education and engage the workforce system, business, unions and community organizations.
Please join the Center for American Progress and key thought leaders on postsecondary attainment as we explore opportunities and challenges of meeting the president’s challenge to increase the number of Americans with postsecondary credentials.
Opening Remarks:
James Kvaal, Senior Director, White House National Economic Council
Rick Stephens, SVP of Human Resources and Administration, The Boeing Company
Featured Panelists:
Jamie Merisotis, CEO, Lumina Foundation for Education
Arthur M. Hauptman, Independent policy consultant
Nancy Hoffman, Vice President, Jobs for the Future
Nisha Patel, Program Officer for Special Initiatives, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Moderated by:
Louis Soares, Director of Economic Mobility, Center for American Progress