luminafoundation.orgLumina Foundation | Working to make learning after high school available to all

Our Work Areas of Focus Affordable Learning Clear Pathways to Credentials Competency-Based Learning Federal Policy Funding Student Outcomes Human Work and Learning Quality Learning Racial Justice and Equity Research and Evaluation Social Investment State Policy Talent Development Talking About Race Equity Self-Assessment Equity and Justice Framing Research Our Racial Justice Journey Commitment to Racial Justice and Equity Stronger Nation National Attainment Data Report Lumina Impact Ventures Highlights Today’s Student Solutions Citations State Strategy Labs Technical Assistance Technical Assistance FAQ State Policy Agenda About Talent Hubs Self-Assessment Tool Talent Hubs Cohort Map Community Partnerships Lumina Impact Ventures Apply for Investment Capital Learn-and-Work Ecosystem Beyond Financial Aid Degree Qualifications Profile History of Federal Student Aid News and Views Focus Magazine Snapshot Features Photojournalism Our Podcast Our Bloggers Daily News Archive Subscribe Resources and Events Events Publications Grants Grantee Resources Reporting Forms Brand Guidelines Grantee FAQ Partner Survey Grants Database Brand Guidelines About Board of Directors President and CEO Our People Board of Directors Senior Leaders and Staff Our Plan Careers with Us Lumina Financials Contact Us Speakers Media Outreach Permissions MENU Our Work Areas of Focus Affordable Learning Clear Pathways to Credentials Competency-Based Learning Federal Policy Funding Student Outcomes Human Work and Learning Quality Learning Racial Justice and Equity Research and Evaluation Social Investment State Policy Talent Development Talking About Race Equity Self-Assessment Equity and Justice Framing Research Our Racial Justice Journey Commitment to Racial Justice and Equity Stronger Nation National Attainment Data Report Lumina Impact Ventures Highlights Today’s Student Solutions Citations State Strategy Labs Technical Assistance Technical Assistance FAQ State Policy Agenda About Talent Hubs Self-Assessment Tool Talent Hubs Cohort Map Community Partnerships Lumina Impact Ventures Apply for Investment Capital Learn-and-Work Ecosystem Beyond Financial Aid Degree Qualifications Profile History of Federal Student Aid News and Views Focus Magazine Snapshot Features Photojournalism Our Podcast Our Bloggers Daily News Archive Subscribe Resources and Events Events Publications Grants Grantee Resources Reporting Forms Brand Guidelines Grantee FAQ Partner Survey Grants Database Brand Guidelines About Board of Directors President and CEO Our People Board of Directors Senior Leaders and Staff Our Plan Careers with Us Lumina Financials Contact Us Speakers Media Outreach Permissions TODAY'S STUDENT / TOMORROW'S TALENT Imagine learning that’s accessible, lifelong, and prepares everyone for a global future. To realize this vision, Lumina Foundation works to ensure 60 percent of adults will have a college degree, certificate, industry certification, or other credential of value by 2025. America needs clear paths to learning and success after high school that make the nation stronger and meet the needs of today’s student. No matter where you come from, what you look like, or how much money your family has, you should have what you need to learn, grow, and thrive. Read more about Lumina’s Commitment to Racial Equity. Lumina Foundation works in partnership with education and business leaders, civil rights organizations, policymakers, and individuals who want to reimagine how and where learning occurs. AREAS OF FOCUS Featured Video Justice for Today's Students Policies, practices, and beliefs—rooted in history and still affecting people today—keep many Black, Native American, and Hispanic people from the education and skills they need. watch video -- watch video Want to learn more about this topic? -- Our commitment to racial equity Featured Video Lumina wants to ensure quality education for all Americans. Find out how Lumina's efforts support the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal of Quality Education. watch video -- watch video Want to learn more about this topic? -- Learn More About Lumina Featured Video Lumina Celebrates Today's Graduates — Congratulations, Class of 2020. The future belongs to those who learn — who are hungry for knowledge, skills, and opportunity. watch video -- watch video Want to learn more about this topic? -- Learn more about Today's Student Featured Video KENTUCKIANA BUILDS. Hands-on programs give Kentuckiana students a leg up on good jobs. watch video -- watch video Want to learn more about this topic? -- Read More In Focus Magazine Prev Next The Nation’s Progress The United States faces an urgent and growing need for talent. Many more people of all races, ethnicities, ages, and income levels will need college degrees, certificates, industry certifications, and other credentials of value to join or remain in the middle class. A Stronger Nation Lumina’s Stronger Nation visualization tool, updated as data become available, tracks progress toward the 60 percent goal nationally as well as by metro area and by state. Stronger Nation breaks out data by race and ethnicity to highlight stark contrasts rooted in the country’s centuries-long history of slavery, segregation, and discrimination. EXPLORE THE DATA Success Stories Focus Magazine Utah State program links students to good jobs Aggies Elevated is a two-year program at Utah State University that is designed to serve students with intellectual disabilities well – not merely by providing opportunities for learning, but also by helping students land competitive, “real-world” employment after they graduate. The staff-intensive Aggies Elevated program typically serves about 15 students at a time. As of… Continue Reading Focus Magazine ‘Special ed goes to college’? Not at Millersville The goal of the Integrated Studies program at Millersville University is to fully merge its students into college life. The 25 students on the university’s southeastern Pennsylvania campus live with roommates who aren’t part of the program. No classes or social events are designed exclusively for them. They join clubs on campus, but they do… Continue Reading Focus Magazine Western Kentucky serves students on the spectrum Western Kentucky University’s Circle of Support surrounds high-functioning students on the autism spectrum. Within the Circle—which is a feature of the university’s Kelly Autism Program (KAP)—services are robust: everything from single-room housing to frequent attendance at required “study table” sessions. The sessions are staffed by KAP employees who tutor students on academics while also advising… Continue Reading Featured News Feb. 9, 2021 Community-based programs, first-year seminars, learning communities: How to assure equity and quality in higher ed By Debra Humphreys New research emerging from a recent project led by the National Association of System Heads provides some useful insights into how, even during the enormous challenges of this pandemic moment, we can assure both equity and quality as we seek to grow the number of people with learning beyond high school. READ MORE Featured News Feb. 2, 2021 Higher-ed’s pandemic roadblock stops growth in college degrees By Courtney Brown A new report from the National Student Clearinghouse shows an alarming trend: COVID-19 has slowed the growth of college degree and certificate earners to a standstill. The numbers are the lowest in eight years – and come at the worst possible time, as unemployment soars and millions of Americans are suffering. READ MORE Featured News Jan. 28, 2021 In this COVID recovery, it’s time to get serious about apprenticeships By Jamie Merisotis Everyone supports apprenticeships. Whenever the economy suffers, interest in them spikes, and both the outgoing and incoming administrations have called for a big expansion. In a recent survey, 92 percent of Americans had a favorable view of apprenticeships—an approval rating that’s almost unheard of. READ MORE...