Staying the Course in College
A panel discussion on the importance of college completion
Please join the Georgia Center for Opportunity and the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia for a discussion on two of the biggest economic threats facing the state of Georgia today – improving college access and affordability and meeting the needs of our workforce.
Date: July 27th, 8:30am to 12pm
Location: Gwinnett Technical College
Panelists:
Dr. Eric Wearne (Provost, Holy Spirit College, formerly with Georgia Gwinnett College)
Dr. Julie Post (Gwinnett Technical College)
Anthony Flynn (Gifted Foundation)
Kenita Pierce-Lewis (Hope, Inc.)
Randy Hicks, Moderator (President and CEO, Georgia Center for Opportunity)
Breakout session to follow the panel discussion.
Light refreshments served.
By the year 2025, 60 percent of jobs in Georgia will require post-secondary education, such as a graduate certificate, associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree. However, only about 47 percent of Georgia’s potential workforce currently meets those educational criteria, creating a need for 250,000 additional credentialed or degreed employment candidates by the year 2025.
To meet this challenge, community leaders must understand the opportunities and barriers to post-secondary education and find ways to support students on their path into the workforce. We will address various solutions posed at a state and local level that include
Expanding need-based aid for students
Dual enrollment opportunities
Increasing access to technical school programs and certifications for adult learners
