In October 2021, the CPE kickstarted the Kentucky Student Success Collaborative (KYSSC) to support students in their pursuit and attainment of postsecondary degrees and credentials. The KYSSC comes at an important time; not only is higher education useful in general, but Kentucky has set a goal to have 60% of its population hold a bachelor’s degree by 2030.
There are many reasons to support students in obtaining degrees. For one, higher education boosts workforce participation. 93% of Kentuckians with a bachelor’s degree participate in the workforce, whereas 77% of Kentuckians with a high school degree participate. Kentuckians with a bachelor’s degree also enjoy greater financial security and decreased participation in public benefit programs.
These statistics speak to higher education’s ability to improve the workforce and economy, and this is what Kentucky strives to do with the help of organizations like the KYSSC.
Kentucky has made progress over the past five years. There has been a 4.8 percentage point increase in Kentuckians with a postsecondary degree or credential. The completion gap has also been shrinking, as Kentucky has seen a 34% increase in degrees and credentials awarded to underrepresented minority students.
There are still obstacles in Kentucky’s path. Low-income learners are facing declining undergraduate enrollment, with a 41% enrollment decrease in the past ten years. Adult learners are also down 46% in terms of undergraduate enrollment. These are two key groups when it comes to Kentucky’s student population, and it will be important to turn the tide of these trends in the future.
The KYSSC has a plan to address this. It has developed 24 statewide recommendations that focus on improving three areas: supporting student basic needs, improving transfer pathways, and increasing gateway course success. Improvements in these areas can go a long way to supporting student success.
Momentum is picking up in Kentucky as it works to boost its degree-holding population. By the time 2030 rolls around, Kentucky hopes to aid students in obtaining degrees and enjoying the economic benefits that follow higher education success.
