Voters will now be keeping an eye on actions to improve California’s higher education system to support all Californians.
California Competes: Higher Education for a Strong Economy congratulates Governor-Elect Gavin Newsom, Lieutenant Governor-Elect Eleni Kounalakis, and all of our state’s newly elected leaders. As a nonpartisan organization, California Competes looks forward to working with the new administration and lawmakers to reimagine higher education in California and develop financially pragmatic solutions to drive economic growth and build vibrant communities.
Higher education unequivocally has the unique power to preserve California’s leadership in the global economy. California Competes was fortunate to sit down with our gubernatorial candidates as well as our candidates for lieutenant governor in the months leading up to this important election.
We look forward to working collaboratively to find solutions for the millions of Californians who have everything to gain by earning a college degree or credential.
Dr. Lande Ajose, Executive Director, California Competes
“For our new leaders, 2019 is the pivotal year to recalibrate higher education and deeply impact workforce outcomes at a time when California needs it most,” said California Competes Executive Director Dr. Lande Ajose. “We look forward to working collaboratively to find solutions for the millions of Californians who have everything to gain by earning a college degree or credential.”
California’s elected leaders must prioritize and guide state-level policy that supports a clear and equitable education-to-employment pipeline that includes:
- Pathways to degree completion for the 4 million adults in California who have attended some college but haven’t earned a degree;
- Accountability and coordination between higher education systems (California is one of only two states without comprehensive coordination);
- An integrated and comprehensive data system across early childhood, K-12, higher education, and workforce; and
- Degree programs that directly align with workforce requirements and demand.
The correlation between higher education and economic opportunity has never been more pronounced. The implications of ignoring needed policy reforms have never been greater.
