USA Funds Sponsors ‘Developing Arizona’s Human Capital’ Conference

USA Funds^® recently provided support to the Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education to sponsor the “Developing Arizona’s Human Capital: Addressing Today’s Postsecondary Education Challenges” conference. The conference provided the opportunity for educators, government officials and business professionals to examine and consider policy, access to education, student financial assistance and outreach, and preparation for postsecondary education as it relates to developing Arizona’s human capital.

“The conference could not have been held at a more strategic time because on Jan. 14 Arizona policy-makers entered a legislative session to face a revenue shortfall of more than a $1 billion,” says April Osborn, ACPE executive director. “The representation of policy-makers, higher education and K-12 leaders, college access professionals, and business leaders at the conference allowed for frank discussions regarding postsecondary education and the critical role it plays in economic success for Arizona. 

“These discussions and the common understandings from the conference for all constituencies will be helpful in these difficult times,” Osborn added.

Conference topics and activities included:

• Examining critical and current Arizona-specific data.
• Reviewing recent policy initiatives.
• Learning about successful Arizona college access and transitional programs.
• Previewing the 2008 legislative agenda.
• Examining existing student financial policy.
• Participating in dialogue about the impact of each of these issues.

Tom Mortenson, senior scholar of the Pell Institute for the Study of Postsecondary Education Opportunity, gave the keynote address that provided attendees a snapshot of the Arizona postsecondary education system.

Many challenges face Arizona’s postsecondary education system, including an explosive growth of the college-aged population, a lack of student readiness, a high proportion of adults without a college degree, institutional capacity limitations, and lack of student access and success.

The conference addressed proposed changes in the Arizona postsecondary education system and the dramatic demographic changes that Arizona is experiencing, including a rapidly growing Latino population. These issues require a long-term approach to ensure that higher education meets the economic development needs of the state, according to conference organizers.

“The conference was an excellent opportunity to bring together experts and policy-makers to consider how to develop Arizona’s most precious resource — its people,” says Grace Smith, USA Funds customer relations manager for Arizona. “When students do not pursue a postsecondary education, they are not only hurting themselves by reducing their employment opportunities and earning potential, but they are hurting the economy of Arizona. This conference was an opportunity to bring together the key state players to address these issues and discuss solutions. ”

Materials from key conference presentations are available on the ACPE Web site.