California Competes

Yesterday we held our first Braiding Holistic Supports for Student Success Convening! We know that addressing students’ true costs of college—not just tuition, but housing, food, child care, and their other basic needs—is key to their success. So, we gathered leading experts to redefine student support in higher education and explore how to increase uptake of existing programs and services beyond student financial aid. Using design thinking, we brainstormed actionable solutions that recognize and help address the complex realities students face today. (Check out our prototype for guaranteed student housing! ??) We’re excited to continue these strategy development efforts. A special thank you to our Game Changer Sponsors for this event, ECMC Foundation, the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, The Kresge Foundation, and the University of California Office of the President.

This could be a game changer for our state and particularly for those seeking a better life for themselves and their families. Please join us in advocating for this entity, which could make sure our state works smarter and ensure more Californians can access the education and training they need on the path towards a better life.

“This long overdue entity [will] ensure that the state maximizes the value of higher education for our students, communities, economy, and democracy.” Campaign for College Opportunity’s Director of Policy and Advocacy Jessie Hernández-Reyes shares why the establishment of California Education Interagency Council is important for the state's future. Help make it happen! Sign the support letter by Wednesday, March 26th: https://lnkd.in/g7mmtgPc

Sharing some ?? from the Today's Students Coalition DC Student Summit. ?? I recently had the privilege of joining a team of California students on Capitol Hill. We delved into pressing higher ed issues and built key leadership skills that will empower our nation’s future decision-makers. At a time when the future of our education system is uncertain, these conversations were a reminder of what’s at stake. Connecting with students and future leaders makes me feel determined and ready to keep pushing for stronger, more equitable education and workforce systems. University of California Student Association, Adrianni Silvano, Phoebe Truong, Yamileth Maldonado, Esther Mejia, Tanya Ang

“California’s student and low-income workers want career pathways and a living wage. They want to support their families and their children… [The establishment of the California Education Interagency Council] will allow people to work together more effectively… so students aren’t languishing and employers don’t have who they need to fill the jobs that help our economy.” California Competes Policy Director Anna Johnson emphasized these points at the California State Assembly budget committee in support of Budget Item 0511, which would help to break down silos and create clearer paths to opportunity for millions of Californians. https://lnkd.in/g5HuAaw5 Your voice is key to making it happen! Sign our support letter by Wednesday, March 26, 2025 ?? https://lnkd.in/g7mmtgPc

#ICYMI California Competes Senior Researcher Laura Bernhard, PhD shared actionable insights on how to reengage and reenroll 40 million adults nationwide who have some college but no credential at the Association for Education Finance and Policy Conference. Our four ?? recommendations for higher ed leaders: ??Adapt to meet the needs of today’s students using flexible learning modalities; ??Conduct strategic outreach to students who stop out; ??Remove reenrollment barriers, including reinstating priority registration and waiving fees; and ??Provide ongoing support for comebackers. Dig deeper into these strategies here: https://lnkd.in/gVaZ_Ard

?? Action alert! Let’s modernize California’s higher education and workforce systems! California Competes is calling on organizations and individuals to support the establishment of the California Education Interagency Council! This critical initiative will help break down silos between education and workforce systems, creating clearer pathways for students and workers. Sign our coalition support letter by Wednesday, March 26th! ?? https://lnkd.in/g7mmtgPc #CaliforniaEducation #EconomicMobility #PolicyAction

? The California Alliance for Student Parent Success (The Alliance), which we colead with EdTrust-West, is excited to launch our Bring Your Kids to College Day campaign! This initiative aims to highlight California’s 400,000 student parents and their children. Since April 2024, The Alliance has supported 9 colleges in organizing a special day that increases student parent visibility and introduces children—the next generation of learners—to higher education! ? ?? Read about our past efforts in Inside Higher Ed: https://lnkd.in/g9bear49 ?? Use our toolkit to support planning a Bring Your Kids to College Day on YOUR campus: https://lnkd.in/gJFGCnXd

#JobAlert: The California State University is hiring a Senior Legislative Advocate to expand their legislative affairs team in Sacramento! You’ll serve as a governmental and political advisor to the CSU, including helping to formulate and execute advocacy strategies and representing the CSU on legislative issues with the state legislature. Learn more and apply—today is the priority deadline: https://lnkd.in/gAjjuWSB

?? Introducing… Advocates Amplified: Centering Student Parent & Ally Voices to Shape the Future, a new series of blog posts and op-eds by The California Alliance for Student Parent Success’s advisory committee. By listening to those who understand student parents’ experiences best, we can drive changes in higher education that truly meet their needs. Up first: Jordan Calley, a student parent at San Francisco State University, who reflects on the importance of on-campus child care for her education and her daughter’s future: https://lnkd.in/geMmhMQX