Lumina Foundation
@luminafoundation.bsky.social
We’re a private foundation committed to increasing the share of adults in the U.S. labor force with degrees or other credentials of value leading to economic prosperity to 75 percent by 2040. Learn more about our work and mission: www.luminafoundation.org/
We launched FutureReady States to help states build short-term credential programs that are affordable, aligned to good jobs, and easy to navigate. We’re working with 12 states to define which programs lead to economic mobility, ensure systems are coordinated, and center today’s students.
States see short-term credentials as key to long-term success
More than 1M short-term workforce credentialing programs are offered today, but little has been done to help adults identify which programs meet industry standards and lead to higher-paying jobs. That's changing.
www.luminafoundation.org
December 16, 2025 at 5:04 PM
We launched FutureReady States to help states build short-term credential programs that are affordable, aligned to good jobs, and easy to navigate. We’re working with 12 states to define which programs lead to economic mobility, ensure systems are coordinated, and center today’s students.
In the most recent episode of "Apprenticeship 2.0," released today, Lumina President and CEO Jamie Merisotis discusses how apprenticeships are gaining traction and why they matter more than ever in our evolving economy. And they’re necessary if we’re going to reach Lumina’s new goal for the country.
Year-End Roundtable – Part One: Funder CEOs
open.spotify.com
December 15, 2025 at 6:00 PM
In the most recent episode of "Apprenticeship 2.0," released today, Lumina President and CEO Jamie Merisotis discusses how apprenticeships are gaining traction and why they matter more than ever in our evolving economy. And they’re necessary if we’re going to reach Lumina’s new goal for the country.
"College ended poverty in my family forever."
In this Ed Up Insights podcast episode, Lumina President and CEO Jamie Merisotis shares what it takes to redesign higher ed around today’s students, prepare for the age of AI, and ensure talent development becomes America’s top priority.
In this Ed Up Insights podcast episode, Lumina President and CEO Jamie Merisotis shares what it takes to redesign higher ed around today’s students, prepare for the age of AI, and ensure talent development becomes America’s top priority.
Episode 7 - Ed Up Insights ft Jamie Merisotis
open.spotify.com
December 9, 2025 at 6:17 PM
"College ended poverty in my family forever."
In this Ed Up Insights podcast episode, Lumina President and CEO Jamie Merisotis shares what it takes to redesign higher ed around today’s students, prepare for the age of AI, and ensure talent development becomes America’s top priority.
In this Ed Up Insights podcast episode, Lumina President and CEO Jamie Merisotis shares what it takes to redesign higher ed around today’s students, prepare for the age of AI, and ensure talent development becomes America’s top priority.
"If 18-year-olds are pushed into short-term programs that only prepare them for one job, we could squander the chance to help them develop durable skills and knowledge that lead to success in their fourth job as much as their first."
Regulations Must Get Workforce Pell Right (opinion)
Many young people will be better served by going straight to degree programs—not using up their Pell eligibility on short-term programs. The regulations should account for this.
www.insidehighered.com
December 8, 2025 at 7:51 PM
"If 18-year-olds are pushed into short-term programs that only prepare them for one job, we could squander the chance to help them develop durable skills and knowledge that lead to success in their fourth job as much as their first."
What will it take to make sure learning after high school delivers real economic value?
Lumina President and CEO Jamie Merisotis joined the EdUp PCO podcast to dig into this and why we're focused on credentials of value. Because in today’s labor market, the old (path)ways aren’t enough.
Lumina President and CEO Jamie Merisotis joined the EdUp PCO podcast to dig into this and why we're focused on credentials of value. Because in today’s labor market, the old (path)ways aren’t enough.
56. Jamie Merisotis (Lumina): How Universities Are Preparing Folks for the Future of Work
open.spotify.com
December 8, 2025 at 5:38 PM
What will it take to make sure learning after high school delivers real economic value?
Lumina President and CEO Jamie Merisotis joined the EdUp PCO podcast to dig into this and why we're focused on credentials of value. Because in today’s labor market, the old (path)ways aren’t enough.
Lumina President and CEO Jamie Merisotis joined the EdUp PCO podcast to dig into this and why we're focused on credentials of value. Because in today’s labor market, the old (path)ways aren’t enough.
Students can't succeed in college if they can't get there. This resource is a good starting point for institutions. Having reliable transportation to class could be the one difference between a student's success and their failure.
Transportation Toolkit For Community College Leaders | Trellis Strategies
Access to transportation is essential to student success. Drawing on results from Trellis' Community College Transportation Project, this toolkit provides
www.trellisstrategies.org
December 5, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Students can't succeed in college if they can't get there. This resource is a good starting point for institutions. Having reliable transportation to class could be the one difference between a student's success and their failure.
As Richard Kincaid, an assistant state superintendent for college and career pathways at the Maryland State Department of Education, put it: "It wasn’t broken."
And yet, we're trying to "fix" an unbroken system with confusion...all in the name of reform?
And yet, we're trying to "fix" an unbroken system with confusion...all in the name of reform?
The Education Department gave another agency power to distribute its money. It hasn't gone well.
Critics say issues with accessing federal career and technical education funding could preview bigger problems when the Trump administration starts to outsource more of the Education Department’s resp...
www.politico.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:52 PM
As Richard Kincaid, an assistant state superintendent for college and career pathways at the Maryland State Department of Education, put it: "It wasn’t broken."
And yet, we're trying to "fix" an unbroken system with confusion...all in the name of reform?
And yet, we're trying to "fix" an unbroken system with confusion...all in the name of reform?
The nine fellows will investigate the fallout from anti-DEI laws, the erosion of college access for Latino and Black students, and the real-world consequences of federal cuts to special education.
Stories like these push systems to do better, and we can't wait to see what they uncover.
Stories like these push systems to do better, and we can't wait to see what they uncover.
EWA Reporting Fellowship: Meet the Class 21 Fellows
The EWA Reporting Fellowship recipients in class 21 will receive financial awards for innovative education journalism. Learn more.
ewa.org
December 4, 2025 at 4:14 PM
The nine fellows will investigate the fallout from anti-DEI laws, the erosion of college access for Latino and Black students, and the real-world consequences of federal cuts to special education.
Stories like these push systems to do better, and we can't wait to see what they uncover.
Stories like these push systems to do better, and we can't wait to see what they uncover.
When international students stop coming, we don’t just lose tuition. We lose future scientists, entrepreneurs, and neighbors. We lose global perspective, and we deepen inequities across already struggling colleges.
This is a policy choice with consequences.
More from GBH:
This is a policy choice with consequences.
More from GBH:
International student enrollment falls sharply in US, early data show
A new report released Monday indicates first-year foreign enrollment this fall is down 17%.
www.wgbh.org
December 3, 2025 at 4:09 PM
When international students stop coming, we don’t just lose tuition. We lose future scientists, entrepreneurs, and neighbors. We lose global perspective, and we deepen inequities across already struggling colleges.
This is a policy choice with consequences.
More from GBH:
This is a policy choice with consequences.
More from GBH:
Too many community college students complete programs that don't lead to real opportunity after graduation.
This new guide provides eight strategies to help community colleges enhance advising, redesign programs, and ensure that credentials lead to living-wage jobs or bachelor’s degrees.
This new guide provides eight strategies to help community colleges enhance advising, redesign programs, and ensure that credentials lead to living-wage jobs or bachelor’s degrees.
Unlocking Opportunity
Unlocking Opportunity intensively engages community college leaders and teams over multiple years to develop and enact bold reforms focused on increasing the number of students entering and completing high-value community college programs. The project's...
highered.aspeninstitute.org
December 2, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Too many community college students complete programs that don't lead to real opportunity after graduation.
This new guide provides eight strategies to help community colleges enhance advising, redesign programs, and ensure that credentials lead to living-wage jobs or bachelor’s degrees.
This new guide provides eight strategies to help community colleges enhance advising, redesign programs, and ensure that credentials lead to living-wage jobs or bachelor’s degrees.
"If a law seeking to end racial inequality violates equal protection, then what the Equal Protection Clause protects is racial inequality."
What kind of future are we building if we punish colleges for serving students who've long been excluded?
What kind of future are we building if we punish colleges for serving students who've long been excluded?
The Quiet War on Hispanic-Serving Colleges
Trump’s bid to strip race from policy has landed squarely on the institutions educating the country’s future: Hispanic-serving colleges.
washingtonmonthly.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:15 PM
"If a law seeking to end racial inequality violates equal protection, then what the Equal Protection Clause protects is racial inequality."
What kind of future are we building if we punish colleges for serving students who've long been excluded?
What kind of future are we building if we punish colleges for serving students who've long been excluded?
Reposted by Lumina Foundation
If you're bored/want to get away from family and want to know how people in IDR/PSLF view their college experiences, what they want for their kids, how they feel about student loan repayment - check out my new piece with @borrowerjustice.bsky.social supported by @luminafoundation.bsky.social
Recent work supported by @borrowerjustice.bsky.social + @luminafoundation.bsky.social shows how loan repayment may shape perceptions of #HigherEd
76% of borrowers value their college exp, only 7.5% trust repayment info; 48% prioritize trade certs for their kids
protectborrowers.org/resource/dee...
76% of borrowers value their college exp, only 7.5% trust repayment info; 48% prioritize trade certs for their kids
protectborrowers.org/resource/dee...
Deep Dive: New Research Shows the Profound Impact of Debt on Perceptions of Higher Ed - Protect Borrowers
For the first time, a novel set of research investigates the perspectives of student loan borrowers in various repayment plans on key issues, including (1) the value of their higher education experien...
protectborrowers.org
November 26, 2025 at 2:27 PM
If you're bored/want to get away from family and want to know how people in IDR/PSLF view their college experiences, what they want for their kids, how they feel about student loan repayment - check out my new piece with @borrowerjustice.bsky.social supported by @luminafoundation.bsky.social
When students are afraid to walk across campus or attend class, something is deeply wrong. Campus leaders must take action to protect privacy, push back against overreach, and challenge intimidation to support those targeted because of who they are or where they’re from.
Nearby ICE Raids Stoke Fear on North Carolina Campuses
As federal immigration enforcement agents descend on North Carolina, campus leaders are rushing to advise fearful staff and students about how to respond.
www.insidehighered.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:38 PM
When students are afraid to walk across campus or attend class, something is deeply wrong. Campus leaders must take action to protect privacy, push back against overreach, and challenge intimidation to support those targeted because of who they are or where they’re from.
"Community colleges act as such an important entry point to higher ed for so many different types of students—all sorts of different backgrounds, career-changers, military veterans, people who may have started a college degree but never completed it—and we continue to do that mission-driven work."
Three community college presidents discuss the Trump administration's impact on them
NPR's Ayesha Rascoe asks three community college presidents - J.B. Buxton, Nerita Hughes, and Georgia Lorenz - how the Trump administration's war on higher education is affecting their schools.
www.npr.org
November 24, 2025 at 6:07 PM
"Community colleges act as such an important entry point to higher ed for so many different types of students—all sorts of different backgrounds, career-changers, military veterans, people who may have started a college degree but never completed it—and we continue to do that mission-driven work."
The hardest part of college shouldn’t be getting in. The endurance test of a complex and expensive admissions process is starting to change, though, opening the door to a fairer, more welcoming system.
As the supply of applicants declines, college admissions gets kinder and gentler
Applicants are finding fee waivers, one-click applications, later deadlines and easier acceptance rates.
hechingerreport.org
November 21, 2025 at 5:26 PM
The hardest part of college shouldn’t be getting in. The endurance test of a complex and expensive admissions process is starting to change, though, opening the door to a fairer, more welcoming system.
Reposted by Lumina Foundation
Recent work supported by @borrowerjustice.bsky.social + @luminafoundation.bsky.social shows how loan repayment may shape perceptions of #HigherEd
76% of borrowers value their college exp, only 7.5% trust repayment info; 48% prioritize trade certs for their kids
protectborrowers.org/resource/dee...
76% of borrowers value their college exp, only 7.5% trust repayment info; 48% prioritize trade certs for their kids
protectborrowers.org/resource/dee...
Deep Dive: New Research Shows the Profound Impact of Debt on Perceptions of Higher Ed - Protect Borrowers
For the first time, a novel set of research investigates the perspectives of student loan borrowers in various repayment plans on key issues, including (1) the value of their higher education experien...
protectborrowers.org
November 21, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Recent work supported by @borrowerjustice.bsky.social + @luminafoundation.bsky.social shows how loan repayment may shape perceptions of #HigherEd
76% of borrowers value their college exp, only 7.5% trust repayment info; 48% prioritize trade certs for their kids
protectborrowers.org/resource/dee...
76% of borrowers value their college exp, only 7.5% trust repayment info; 48% prioritize trade certs for their kids
protectborrowers.org/resource/dee...
We've seen a few optimistic takes about outsourcing Education Department programs to other federal agencies, but critical questions remain: Will students still get the funding and support they need? Are new agencies equipped to deliver on equity and access?
Stability and transparency matter.
Stability and transparency matter.
Dismantling of ED Earns Some Praise Amid the Gloom
Numerous higher ed leaders, advocates and politicians weighed in on McMahon’s plan to ship several ED programs to other agencies. Here’s a snapshot of what they said.
www.insidehighered.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:11 PM
We've seen a few optimistic takes about outsourcing Education Department programs to other federal agencies, but critical questions remain: Will students still get the funding and support they need? Are new agencies equipped to deliver on equity and access?
Stability and transparency matter.
Stability and transparency matter.
"You can't tell me I will come here in the morning without breakfast and I don't have lunch and I don’t know where my next meal is coming from and you think I can function in class. I don’t think so."
Community colleges face new challenges as Trump battles with higher education
The Trump administration's battles over higher education have mostly focused on elite and some public universities. But the president's policies are also creating challenges for some community college...
www.pbs.org
November 19, 2025 at 9:15 PM
"You can't tell me I will come here in the morning without breakfast and I don't have lunch and I don’t know where my next meal is coming from and you think I can function in class. I don’t think so."
"If charity is about helping, philanthropy is about change."
In this recent "Solutions with Sagamore" episode, Lumina President and CEO Jamie Merisotis joins Sagamore fellow Derek Redelman for a conversation about the future of higher education and what real leadership looks like in this moment.
In this recent "Solutions with Sagamore" episode, Lumina President and CEO Jamie Merisotis joins Sagamore fellow Derek Redelman for a conversation about the future of higher education and what real leadership looks like in this moment.
Jamie Merisotis discusses the future of higher education
YouTube video by Sagamore
www.youtube.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:33 PM
"If charity is about helping, philanthropy is about change."
In this recent "Solutions with Sagamore" episode, Lumina President and CEO Jamie Merisotis joins Sagamore fellow Derek Redelman for a conversation about the future of higher education and what real leadership looks like in this moment.
In this recent "Solutions with Sagamore" episode, Lumina President and CEO Jamie Merisotis joins Sagamore fellow Derek Redelman for a conversation about the future of higher education and what real leadership looks like in this moment.
Reposted by Lumina Foundation
How do state #highered agencies use data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education System (IPEDS) for accountability, funding, and policy analysis? Join us,
@ithakasr.bsky.social, and @luminafoundation.bsky.social on Nov. 21 at 11 a.m. ET to answer these questions: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
@ithakasr.bsky.social, and @luminafoundation.bsky.social on Nov. 21 at 11 a.m. ET to answer these questions: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: State Uses of IPEDS Data: Insights for Strengthening the National Postsecondary Data Infrastructure. After registering, you will receive a confirmation emai...
Hosted by Ithaka S+R and the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO), with support from Lumina Foundation, this webinar will present findings from a new report, State Uses of IPE...
us02web.zoom.us
November 17, 2025 at 9:10 PM
How do state #highered agencies use data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education System (IPEDS) for accountability, funding, and policy analysis? Join us,
@ithakasr.bsky.social, and @luminafoundation.bsky.social on Nov. 21 at 11 a.m. ET to answer these questions: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
@ithakasr.bsky.social, and @luminafoundation.bsky.social on Nov. 21 at 11 a.m. ET to answer these questions: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Reposted by Lumina Foundation
Trust in higher education is slipping, and that’s a serious problem for our future. At The Texas Tribune Festival late last week, Lumina President and CEO Jamie Merisotis said there’s no one-size-fits-all fix. Real change will involve recognizing that a complex system requires multiple strategies.
‘We really need you': Higher education experts, leaders speak about future at Texas Tribune Festival
Education leaders and advocates spoke about how to navigate higher education in the future as they say trust has deteriorated over the years on Friday at a Texas Tribune Festival panel. In 2015, 10% of Americans had very little or no trust at all in hig...
thedailytexan.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Trust in higher education is slipping, and that’s a serious problem for our future. At The Texas Tribune Festival late last week, Lumina President and CEO Jamie Merisotis said there’s no one-size-fits-all fix. Real change will involve recognizing that a complex system requires multiple strategies.
We just wrapped an energizing week at our FutureReady States meeting, which proved state leaders are leading the way on short-term credential quality, value, and impact. Real conversations, real momentum. And, most importantly, a clear commitment to building better paths from education to work.
November 14, 2025 at 9:31 PM
We just wrapped an energizing week at our FutureReady States meeting, which proved state leaders are leading the way on short-term credential quality, value, and impact. Real conversations, real momentum. And, most importantly, a clear commitment to building better paths from education to work.
Our systems often exclude older students from today's learning opportunities, and that's a missed opportunity.
We need more affordable short-term credentials that are aligned with real-world jobs and designed for adults who need updated skills to stay competitive, Lumina's Kermit Kaleba writes:
We need more affordable short-term credentials that are aligned with real-world jobs and designed for adults who need updated skills to stay competitive, Lumina's Kermit Kaleba writes:
Creating a New Paradigm for Lifelong Learning
Kermit Kaleba, Strategy Director for Credentials of Value, Lumina Foundation discusses efforts to invest more heavily in education and training models, ensuring an effective path to better and better-...
www.aarpinternational.org
November 13, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Our systems often exclude older students from today's learning opportunities, and that's a missed opportunity.
We need more affordable short-term credentials that are aligned with real-world jobs and designed for adults who need updated skills to stay competitive, Lumina's Kermit Kaleba writes:
We need more affordable short-term credentials that are aligned with real-world jobs and designed for adults who need updated skills to stay competitive, Lumina's Kermit Kaleba writes:
Reposted by Lumina Foundation
