California Competes announced today the launch of a new website that offers nonpartisan, unbiased research and analysis to illuminate the challenges and opportunities in California’s higher education system and its critical role in driving the state’s economic growth and competitiveness.
“As a leading voice on California’s 2.4 million degree gap by 2025, we are ramping up efforts to shine a light on major issues facing higher education and the urgent need for policy action to fix them,” said Dr. Lande Ajose, Executive Director of California Competes. “Our new digital presence serves to guide policymakers in developing innovative approaches that remove barriers to degree attainment, address changing workforce demands, and invest in the people who fuel our economy.”
California lawmakers must recalibrate our higher education system to encourage economic growth and create more engaged, prosperous communities.
California Competes’ new website presents its policy priorities and offers access to its groundbreaking reports, including seminal research on the state’s looming 2.4 million degree gap: Mind the Gap. Upcoming research will further explore the degree gap and what it means for regional economies and our diverse communities. A new blog platform features snapshots of the latest news, data, and trends affecting California’s higher education system.
“Improving our higher education system is among the state’s top economic and social imperatives in order to remain economically competitive and live up to our own ideals,” said Elizabeth Hill, chair of California Competes’ Leadership Council, who served 22 years as California’s non-partisan Legislative Analyst. Hill leads the Council, which is made up of respected current and former elected officials, as well as legislative, business, and community leaders from across the state.
“Policies that create accountability across higher education systems and sustainable funding are critical for closing the chronic degree gap and to making higher education fulfill its mission. Change is long overdue,” Ajose said.
Our research has identified ways to improve the system. Now is the time to make the necessary changes to get there.
