Attainment & Innovation

Read the third piece in a series focused on exploring the concept of a postsecondary learning ecosystem—one that includes not only traditional higher education institutions but also alternative providers that connect learners to the labor market.

Colorado State Chancellor Tony Frank discusses CSU Spur, a unique public campus in Denver that offers free hands-on learning to people of all ages. The goal: to address disparities in college attendance and success, ignite curiosity in K-12 students, and serve as a hub of innovation.

The higher education landscape in the United States consists of over one million credentials offered by more than 60,000 providers. While these options hold the promise of increasing access to postsecondary education, pathways built from a mix of credentials can be confusing. A new report from Credential Engine’s Equity Advisory Council aims to help.    

Alternative providers are becoming a significant—if not yet indispensable—part of the U.S. higher education ecosystem. It’s essential to establish a taxonomy that helps colleges and universities make informed choices about how to work with these providers, writes Louis Soares.

For the 72 million Americans in the labor force who lack a postsecondary credential, learning at the intersection of education, work, and life responsibilities holds the key to a high-wage job in the global knowledge and technology economy. Louis Soares and Vickie Choitz look at how “work colleges” can serve as a model for colleges and universities considering how to better support these learners.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona has laid out plans to hold higher education more accountable for student success. Devorah Lieberman, president of the University of La Verne, writes that we owe it to our students—and ourselves—to embrace his vision.