Arizona lawmakers work to increase access to higher education
Photographer: KNXV
Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Posted: 02/23/2011
PHOENIX - There is an important meeting on higher education at the Arizona capitol happening Wednesday morning.
The House of Representatives Committee for Higher Education, Innovation and Reform will hear testimony on how Arizona and other states are working to increase access to higher education.
Back in 2009, Arizona was among seven states awarded a $1.5 million grant to increase degree and certificate completion. The grant was given by the Lumina Foundation which in turn helped create Arizona’s Getting AHEAD (Access to Higher Education and Degrees) Project.
The president of the foundation Jamie Merisotis, will share his testimony today. He says Arizona has a long way to go, because the state ranks 45th when it comes to percentage of high school students going on to college.
Merisotis says the group is making great strides working with community colleges and universities with the goal of making easier transitions for students looking to transfer to a university for a four year degree. Currently many community college students find the process confusing and discouraging when many credits do not transfer.
The project has already worked with several of the schools to create programs in which they work together to achieve the goal of degree completion for students.
Merisotis will also hold a round table discussion Wednesday with business leaders at the Arizona Chamber of Commerce about workforce readiness needs.
The Higher Education Committee meeting begins at 9 a.m. Wednesday.
Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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