Lumina Foundation is committed to increasing the proportion of Americans with high-quality degrees, certificates and other credentials to 60 percent by 2025.
At 55, Debi Kinder is on a new path: taking courses at Gateway Community College to become a registered nurse.
Kinder is part of a new trend—and driven to make a difference. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed many vulnerabilities in the nation's health care system. But recent research also indicates a new surge of interest in nursing, medical, and other health-related career programs.
Most colleges and universities are back in person for this fall semester following a year of virtual classes. That means millions of second-year students are finally on campus for the very first time.
It's a big transition—and some students feel like sophomores in name only. Many colleges are taking note, creating new programs to get them caught up.
As a freshman, Harley Interpreter—a member of the Navajo Nation from Forest Lake, Arizona—attended a large state university. But she felt swallowed up by the enormity of the campus and the lack of support for Native students, most of whom had never been away from home.
Beyond culture shock and homesickness, many Native students also face financial difficulty. Lacking the financial resources to participate in activities and socialize with their non-Native peers, they’re left feeling even more isolated.
When the coronavirus pandemic first hit, thousands of college students saw their internship opportunities dry up. One estimate determined that roughly half of internships were canceled due to widespread disruptions.
In response, colleges and universities sought out new strategies online to connect students with employers or work-based learning opportunities. Some of these pandemic-driven changes may be here to stay.
