Reducing Structural Barriers

The answer is complicated, but serving their needs is of growing importance, as colleges seek to increase diversity, equity, and accessibility on their campuses. Learn more about this substantial, if not easily defined, population of students pursuing a college degree.

Two leading higher-education experts explore changes in public perception — and identify strategies for colleges to better meet their communities’ needs.

Successful partnerships between an institution and a regional employer can help build a talent pipeline for in-demand skills and boost the local economy.

Watch our explainer to better understand the hurdles many transfer students face and what can be done to help these students succeed.

The future of Maine’s economy depends on remote work. Across sectors, Mainers are collaborating on digital infrastructure, operations, and training to strengthen their state’s employment opportunities.

Dual-enrollment programs are expanding nationwide, but do they work for students?

Our video follows recruiters from The Small Town and Rural Students (STARS) College Network, a partnership of 16 colleges across the country, as they hit the road in the South, looking for learners who might not know about all of their higher-ed options, but have the potential to thrive on campus.

Rural areas face a significant educational gap, with only 21 percent of working-age adults holding bachelor’s degrees compared to 37 percent in urban areas. Rural colleges play a vital role in addressing this disparity. As policymakers and researchers debate how best to help these colleges, one central question arises: What exactly is a rural college?

To low-income learners, student-success programs can mean the difference between launching their careers or dropping out. However, some universities have found ways to boost their retention and graduation rates well above the national average.

While internships remain critical for early-career success, many of these opportunities are unpaid and thus out of reach for many students.

A university leader recalls her experiences as a first-gen college student — and how it has shaped her passion to help today’s first-gen students.

Watch our explainer to better understand the history of American prison education and why obtaining financial aid for incarcerated prisoners — even with reinstated eligibility for Pell Grants and a simplified FAFSA — is still so difficult.

Rural high-school students enroll in college at a lower rate than urban students. Our latest photo essay follows Daryl Burleigh, a rural recruiter, and his strategies for connecting with these students. Read more of his story now.

A degree from a four-year institution is one of the best ways to land a job with a well-paying salary in today’s workforce. For many students, community colleges are a springboard to attending a four-year institution. However, out of every 100 community college students who intend to earn a…