This commentary is by Jay Jacobs, vice provost for enrollment management at the University of Vermont; Katie Mobley, dean of enrollment and community relations at Community College of Vermont; and Maurice Ouimet, vice president for admissions and enrollment services at Vermont State University.
Across Vermont, communities are engaging in conversations about the demographic challenges we are facing as a state. As our population ages, Vermont is struggling to keep pace with the needs of our workforce as more employees retire.
Compounding this challenge are the growing signs that Vermont’s young people are not pursuing post-secondary education at a rate necessary to meet these workforce needs, and this should alarm us all.
High school graduation rates in Vermont have declined by 2% since 2018, the worst in New England. Projections indicate a further decrease in high school graduates, made worse by the impact of Covid-19. The Vermont Student Assistance Corporation’s report reveals a troubling decline in college aspiration rates among Vermonters, specifically men and first-generation students.
In a recent op-ed, Dan Smith, president and CEO of the Vermont Community Foundation, highlighted the opportunity gap as a critical issue. This gap can lead to disengagement, resulting in social, economic and civic consequences such as opioid addiction, suicide and depression.
Silence on these matters further exacerbates disengagement and erodes trust in institutions, as we’ve seen in higher education writ large. Addressing the opportunity gap is imperative for Vermont to tackle the college-going rate and to start to reverse this troubling trend.
A focus on engaging men and boys is crucial. College campuses provide a safe space to learn to engage with others, participate in civil discourse and find solutions to societal challenges.
However, the stark enrollment disparity between men and women in Vermont’s public higher education institutions — 36% at the University of Vermont, 32% at Community College of Vermont and 39% at Vermont State University — poses a significant barrier to achieving a balanced and thriving educational landscape.
How will people feel safe and included if they don’t see and interact with others like them?
The Center on Education and the Workforce at Georgetown University underscores the economic imperative of addressing Vermont’s college-going rate. More than half of jobs in 2031 will require a college degree, and an additional 17% will require at least some college education.
The collective efforts of UVM, VTSU, CCV and VSAC aim to equip Vermonters with the education and skills needed to meet these future demands, emphasizing family-sustaining wages for graduates. And, of course, we cannot expect only women to fill these roles, nor will employers only want women represented in their workforces.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, our institutions are working collaboratively to make education accessible and predictably affordable.
Programs like the UVM Promise, the 802 Opportunity Grant and Free Tuition Guarantee, along with UVM’s frozen tuition for Vermont residents, contribute to a more affordable higher education landscape. Clear pathways to a degree, including 2+2 programs, dual enrollment options and direct transfer admissions, enhance students’ chances of completing their degrees.
We are grateful to the Vermont Legislature for investing in higher education, showcasing a commitment to ensuring that Vermonters can pursue their academic passions without financial burdens.
Vermont’s college-going rate problem requires a multifaceted approach. By fostering inclusivity, embracing diverse perspectives and aligning education with workforce needs, UVM, VTSU, CCV and VSAC are laying the foundation for a brighter future for the Green Mountain State.
This is just the beginning, and we cannot solve this problem alone. We welcome your ideas, dear Vermonter, as we shine a light on overlooked areas, starting with the opportunity gap between male and female Vermonters. As we embark on this journey, we look forward to the insights and solutions that will arise from the upcoming conversation with Richard Reeves on April 4 and 5, sparking creativity and innovation to increase postsecondary aspirations in Vermont.
