Invest in higher education
The late State Senator Harold Giss of Yuma ensured that the first U.S. interstate highway pathway started in Arizona would be with Interstate 8 in Yuma. Then, as now, it is increasingly evident that we must look to education to provide the pathway for Arizona's economic prosperity. College attainment is the foundation of our economy and critical to our future success.
We are facing levels of unemployment not seen for decades. Jobs that require little or no college-level skills are quickly disappearing. Companies are choosing to outsource these jobs to countries with low cost, highly educated labor forces.
The solution is clear. We must increase the number of college graduates in our workforce.
The average income of workers with a four-year degree is $43,000 compared to $27,000 for workers with a high school diploma. Not only do college graduates have a greater earning potential, a more innovative workforce encourages job growth.
Increasing the number of college graduates will provide fuel for a more innovative economy, spurred by investments in research and development, and entrepreneurship.
Arizona has a challenging road ahead. We must increase the number of college graduates, but we also must ensure these graduates receive a quality education.
According to the 2000 Census data, only 30 percent of 25- to 34-year-olds in Arizona holds at least a two year degree. And in Yuma the need is even more pronounced. In Yuma only 17 percent of young adults have a two or four year degree, ranking 10th out of Arizona's 15 counties. What should we do to change this course?
We must ensure Arizona's pipeline of elementary and secondary education provides students with the information and tools necessary to succeed in our university system. Arizona's universities can no longer serve as the primary remedial entity.
We must also provide first generation and low income families with the information they need to apply for college access, including financial aid and the tools necessary for their continued success.
Statistics provided by the KnowHow2GO campaign show that while 90 percent of low-income teens say they plan to attend college, only half will actually enroll in college. This is credited in part to students and families lacking information about college access.
We must improve the affordability of a college education. Improving state funding for universities is key, however it will not be enough alone. We need to increase opportunities for financial aid, while increasing the productivity of our universities.
Without these policy improvements, the Lumina Foundation predicts a shortage of 16 million college educated adults in the American workforce by 2025.
We at the Arizona Board of Regents are implementing changes that will not only increase degree production, but ensure the quality, affordability and access of our university system.
Regent Bob McLendon of Yuma is assisting me in enhancing NAU Yuma's efficacy to meet our goals. We need your voice; tell legislators and other policy makers that investing in higher education is good stewardship.
Ernest Calderón is president of the Arizona Board of Regents.
