Bipartisan Advocates for Today’s Students
Higher Learning Advocates is a bipartisan non-profit advocacy organization working to shift federal policy from higher education to higher learning—education and training beyond high school that leads to a degree, credential, or employment.
While more students are participating in higher education than ever before, there is a vast and growing disconnect between federal policy and the needs of today’s students, employers, and communities. Most federal policies and funding models were designed to meet the needs of the students and employers of the 1970s. Yet, today’s students are more diverse than any previous generation of college students—in age, race, and income level—and many have work and family responsibilities that extend beyond the classroom. They deserve updated policies to better support their needs.
We are committed to the change needed to support the needs and success of today’s students, and are advocating for policies that support a postsecondary system that is student-centered, outcomes-based, and focused on ensuring all of today’s students can access and succeed.
Our Mission
To shift federal policy to accelerate responsiveness to
support the success of today’s students.
Our Approach
Policy & Advocacy
We conduct rigorous policy analysis, provide expert testimony, and work to educate policymakers on key issues.
Coalitions & Partnerships
We lead and build new coalitions on key issues and participate in partner networks to work toward shared goals.
New Voices
Working with leaders, reformers and today’s students, we bring new voices to the debate around higher education policy—highlighting stories of innovation and student success to inform policymaking.
Outreach
Through media and public engagement, we work to build support for reforming the nation’s postsecondary education policies and elevate new perspective on the day’s most important issues.
Our Partners
Higher Learning Advocates is currently and has been funded through the generous support of Lumina Foundation, the Laura and John Arnold Foundation, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
