Articles – Karilyn Van Oosten

California’s call for a reimagined Master Plan for Higher Education, as outlined by California Competes, is not just a local conversation—it’s a national one. The United States is overdue for a transformation in how we deliver and fund higher education, ensuring it reflects today’s demographics, workforce demands, and social realities.

The structure we rely on today was largely built in the 1960s for a different population and economy. Yet our student body is now more diverse, our economy more complex, and our workforce needs more urgent than ever. Despite these shifts, the system has remained largely stagnant, and that’s no longer sustainable.

Demographics Have Outpaced the System

The traditional model no longer serves the needs of today’s learners. The majority of college students are now first-generation, working adults, or from underrepresented communities. Yet barriers to completion—outdated transfer systems, rigid pathways, and affordability challenges—persist across states.

California Competes argues that we need to center learners over institutions, ensure seamless transitions across education systems, and align credentials to workforce realities. And this isn’t unique to California—states like New York are already stepping up to lead the way.

Leading by Example: New York’s Bold Moves

While California rethinks its framework, New York is already implementing reforms that align with this new paradigm:

CUNY and SUNY Funding Increases: New York has made historic investments in the City and State University systems to expand access, improve outcomes, and reduce student debt. The 2024–2025 budget includes over $1.4 billion in additional higher education funding—prioritizing equity and student support.
Workforce Alignment: Through initiatives like the SUNY Microcredential Program, students can earn short-term credentials that match industry demand, offering faster, flexible routes into high-demand careers.
Credit for Prior Learning: New York is scaling efforts to recognize real-world experience. The SUNY system has expanded credit for prior learning policies, allowing adult learners and career-changers to gain credit for skills acquired outside traditional classrooms.
Education-to-Employment Pipelines: New York’s Workforce Development Initiative integrates community colleges, employers, and workforce boards to ensure training is aligned with the state’s economic needs—particularly in healthcare, technology, and green energy.

These are not isolated efforts—they are systemic shifts in how public education is envisioned, delivered, and measured.

The Urgency: Why Every State Must Act

Completion Gaps Persist: Nationwide, underserved students still graduate at far lower rates than their peers.
Workforce Needs Are Shifting: Millions of jobs require more than a high school diploma but less than a four-year degree. Our systems must meet that need.
Funding Models Are Obsolete: Rising tuition and declining public investment have created untenable debt burdens and decreased college access.

This is why the call from California Competes—to rebuild systems around learners, not legacy models—is relevant to all 50 states.

Revolutionaries in Action

Across the country, institutions and organizations are forging a new path:

California Competes is calling for systemic restructuring and accountability.
SUNY and CUNY are embracing workforce integration, credit reform, and microcredentials.
Colorado’s Finish What You Started initiative supports returning students in completing degrees.
Tennessee Reconnect provides tuition-free college for adults.
Texas Reskilling Support Fund helps displaced workers retrain for high-demand jobs.

These efforts represent a shift from legacy systems toward dynamic, inclusive, and outcome-driven education models.

In Summary

Higher education must evolve to reflect the learners it serves and the economy it feeds. That means:

Prioritizing access and equity.
Removing barriers between segments and sectors.
Investing in career-aligned credentials.
Recognizing prior learning and lived experience.

The paradigm shift is underway, and states like New York are proving that bold, learner-focused policy is not only possible but essential.

Call to Action

Every state must rise to this challenge. Whether through legislative reform, philanthropic investment, or institutional innovation, now is the time to act. If we fail to redesign our systems now, we risk leaving millions of learners—and our economy—behind.

Let’s build a future-ready education system that works for all.