Governors Are Providing Leadership in Helping Students Succeed in Postsecondary Education
I’ve kept in touch with a few of my students from my days as a high school teacher, and I often think of one whom I’ll refer to as Erin. Erin, a minority student from a low-income background who would be one of the first in her family to attend college, was told that it was her ticket to a great future. She was fortunate that she attended a college preparatory high school with a well-staffed college and career office dedicated to helping her navigate the admissions process. But like many students, once in college, Erin struggled, both academically and financially. After her first year, it wasn’t clear whether she was going to make it to graduation.
What we told Erin was right — in America, a high-quality postsecondary credential is still one of the surest pathways to economic success. But many students who share Erin’s background struggle to navigate the systems necessary to get into college and successfully navigate their way through.
States and governors play an invaluable role in addressing the issues of college access and affordability. While recent headlines like the Varsity Blues admissions scandal have drawn considerable attention to wealthy private institutions, the reality is that the vast majority of American students continue to be educated at public two- and four-year institutions. States shoulder a significant portion of all postsecondary expenditures and with their budgetary authority, convening power and their ability to call attention to issues through use of the “bully pulpit,” governors play a crucial role in setting the vision for their state’s postsecondary education and in securing the funding to address the challenges that students like Erin face.
Postsecondary education was an important theme of the 36 state gubernatorial races last year, with almost every elected governor making it an important part of their campaign platforms. Unsurprisingly, governors are acting on the same topics emphasized during last fall’s campaigns. Topping the list of focus areas, postsecondary skills training and workforce preparation was identified as a priority by at least 23 governors in their state of the state addresses this spring. Some governors emphasized their intention to continue building on existing workforce initiatives, such as Governor Kim Reynolds’ Future Ready Iowa or Governor Tom Wolf’s PASmart. Others are proposing new initiatives, like Governor Mike Parson’s Fast Track program in Missouri. And National Governors Association’s current chair, Governor Steve Bullock of Montana, continues to advance this work through his chair’s initiative, Good Jobs for All Americans.
Governors are also tackling the affordability crisis head on. NGA identified at least 24 governors who have highlighted the rising cost of postsecondary education in their state of the state addresses. Many are proposing to address this concern through policies such as free college, financial aid and limiting tuition increases. Some governors, like Henry McMaster in South Carolina or Mike DeWine in Ohio, are pushing to prevent tuition increases. Others, like Governor Gina Raimondo in Rhode Island, are proposing to expand existing programs like the Rhode Island Promise to more students.
Governors are also seeking to expand access to postsecondary education. Policy proposals include a number of different strategies. Some are focusing more broadly on setting ambitious attainment goals, such as Governor Gretchen Whitmer in Michigan and Governor Asa Hutchinson in Arkansas. Others are advocating for exciting new initiatives, like Governor Bill Lee in Tennessee who recently announced a planto improve educational opportunities for incarcerated individuals among others. Still, other governors are looking to give students more access to early college credit programs, like Governor Chris Sununu in New Hampshire with his New Hampshire Career Academies initiative, or Governor John Bel Edwards in Louisiana, who emphasized the importance of dual enrollment in his state of the state address this year. Regardless of the lever they plan to use, governors are collectively recognizing that they must expand opportunities for both traditional and non-traditional students to access and obtain a postsecondary credential.
As they work to further these goals, governors have a tremendous opportunity to use their convening power to bring together key stakeholders to further their vision. One of the most important stakeholders is the state higher education executive officer, also known as the SHEEO. These individuals both help ensure accountability in higher education and act to further the interests of public higher education institutions within their state. Many SHEEOs work closely with the governor’s office to further statewide higher education initiatives. Alignment between the strategic priorities of the governor and the SHEEO agency’s strategic plan increases the likelihood of passing legislation to further the higher education efforts outlined above.
Fortunately, after a difficult start Erin is now back on track to graduate and has settled on a major where she feels there will be a strong opportunity for employment after she graduates. But Erin’s success wasn’t foreordained: as many as four in 10 students may not make it through college with a degree. Working with other stakeholders like SHEEOs, governors are striving to ensure that students like Erin are equipped for success regardless of where they came from or what career path they’ve chosen.
About the Authors:
Jon Alfuth is a Policy Analyst on the Education team of National Governors Association Solutions: Center for Best Practices, and a former high school teacher.
John Armstrong is a Senior Policy Analyst at the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association.
