Woodward Hines Education Foundation

During lunch, the Ascent to 55% Convening is focusing on how business and education can collaborate to accelerate progress. Leaders from the Mississippi Business Alliance, Strada Education Foundation, Mississippi Economic Council, and Mississippi Manufacturers Association discussed strategies to elevate student outcomes, strengthen communities, and drive workforce development. This session highlights that when sectors work together, meaningful progress in education and economic opportunity can be sustained across the state. #AscentTo55 #HigherEducation #WorkforceDevelopment #BusinessLeadership #Mississippi

This morning's breakout sessions at the Ascent to 55% Convening are highlighting targeted strategies to strengthen Mississippi’s workforce and expand opportunity for learners of all backgrounds. ⌨️ Attendees are learning about the Mississippi AI Talent Accelerator Program and how it is preparing students for careers in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and technology. ⚡️ Workforce development in the energy sector is also a focus, with discussions on creating new pathways to high-demand skilled jobs through career and technical education, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training. 🧠 Collaboration between K–12 schools, community colleges, and universities is being explored as a critical way to align education with industry needs and retain top talent in the state. 📜 In addition, sessions on ACT® WorkKeys® and the National Career Readiness Certification show how Mississippi is equipping students and job seekers with credentials recognized by employers nationwide. ↗️ Equity for post-traditional learners, including adult and justice-impacted students, is a central theme, highlighting strategies to remove barriers, expand access, and create clear pathways to economic mobility. Leaders from Mississippi institutions, industry, and workforce organizations are sharing data, best practices, and actionable strategies that link learning directly to employment and ensure no learner is left behind. #AscentTo55 #HigherEducation

Day Two of the Ascent to 55% Convening is underway, bringing together higher education, workforce, and policy leaders to focus on creating pathways that are meaningful and accessible for all Mississippians. This morning, attendees heard from Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann with updates from the Capitol and priorities for the 2026 Legislative Session. Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, President and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society International, and Dr. Courtney Brown of the Lumina Foundation explored the evolving value of higher education, access for learners of all ages, and strategies to ensure student success. Panelists, including Dr. Jimmy Clarke, Dr. Aaron Thompson, and Dr. Courtney Brown, discussed how states are using data to guide policy and improve student outcomes. Dr. Stephen Moret of Strada Education Foundation shared how education can be translated into meaningful careers and strengthened workforce pathways. #AscentTo55 #HigherEducation #Mississippi #WorkforceDevelopment

Day 1 of the Ascent to 55% Convening ends with inspiration and purpose. Throughout the day, leaders examined how data, policy, and innovation can accelerate Mississippi’s progress toward 55% postsecondary attainment. The evening keynote, “Credentials that Count,” featured Kim Hunter Reed, Ph.D., Commissioner of Higher Education for Louisiana. Dr. Reed emphasized that meaningful credentials create lasting value for students, employers, and communities alike. The discussion underscored how equitable access, affordability, and collaboration are essential to building a stronger, more inclusive Mississippi. As Dr. Reed reminded the audience, “If you can’t afford it, you can’t achieve it.” As we look to Day 2, Woodward Hines Education Foundation remains committed to expanding pathways and convening partners that help every Mississippian earn the credentials that count. #AscentTo55 #HigherEducation

Afternoon sessions at the Ascent to 55% Convening are exploring how policy, partnerships, and innovation intersect to move Mississippi closer to its attainment goals. Panels are examining how federal policy impacts higher education, how employers and colleges can collaborate to build a stronger talent pipeline, and how addressing student basic needs supports success. Today’s discussions made one thing clear: reaching 55% will take coordination, creativity, and shared responsibility. #AscentTo55 #WorkforceDevelopment #StudentSuccess #Mississippi

The Ascent to 55% Convening is underway in Jackson. Mississippi’s higher education, workforce, and policy leaders are united by a single goal: increasing postsecondary attainment to strengthen our state’s future. Following a warm welcome from Dr. Jay Allen and Dr. Blake Thompson, opening sessions explored how educational attainment drives economic growth, individual success, and community well-being as framed by Dr. Scott Jenkins with Trellium Insights, Mississippi's Institutions of Higher Learning, and the Mississippi Economic Council. From the “Data Download: Foundations for 55,” attendees gained insights from Kimberly Hanauer with UnlockED, Corey Miller with Mississippi's Institutions of Higher Learning, Dr. Jason Dean with the Mississippi Alliance of Independent Colleges and Universities, and Lance Evans, Ed.D. with the Mississippi Department of Education on the key indicators guiding progress. #AscentTo55 #EducationToEmployment #Mississippi

The Ascent to 55% Convening is underway in Jackson. Mississippi’s higher education, workforce, and policy leaders are united by a single goal: increasing postsecondary attainment to strengthen our state’s future. Following a warm welcome from Dr. Jay Allen and Dr. Blake Thompson, opening sessions explored how educational attainment drives economic growth, individual success, and community well-being as framed by Dr. Scott Jenkins with Trellium Insights, Mississippi's Institutions of Higher Learning, and the Mississippi Economic Council. From the “Data Download: Foundations for 55,” attendees will gain insights from Kimberly Hanauer with UnlockED, Corey Miller with Mississippi's Institutions of Higher Learning, Dr. Jason Dean with the Mississippi Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, and Lance Evans, Ed.D. with the Mississippi Department of Education on the key indicators guiding progress. #AscentTo55 #EducationToEmployment #Mississippi

The 2025 MCHEP Convening: Bridging Pathways: Education, Employment, and Second Chances day begins with powerful stories. This morning’s MCHEP sessions lift up the voices of justice-impacted students and the partners who walk beside them. Their journeys show how access to higher education opens doors to opportunity, growth, and reentry success. 💬 Voices of Resilience: Journeys from the Inside Out. Former and currently incarcerated students and education administrators share their paths through higher education and beyond, showing how learning transforms lives and strengthens communities. 🤝 Building Bridges to Opportunity: Partnering for Workforce Reentry Success. Leaders from Jobs for the Future (JFF), the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, Trellis Foundation, Vera Institute of Justice, and Second Chance Outreach Learning Center explore how strong partnerships between higher education and employers expand pathways to meaningful employment. 🎓 The Power of Possibility: Students Reimagining Education in Carceral Settings. Justice-impacted students and Dr. LaShetta Wilder with the Mississippi Department of Corrections reflect on education as a source of hope and empowerment within correctional facilities. Together, these sessions highlight the essential link between education, employment, and second chances—and the shared commitment across Mississippi to make opportunity accessible to all. #AscentTo55 #HigherEducation #PrisonEducation #MCHEP

🎓 Supporting Students and Families in Navigating College Funding Filling out the FAFSA can feel overwhelming, but it’s the critical first step toward making college accessible and affordable. In this new step-by-step walkthrough, Kierstan Dufour, Director of External Training & Partnerships at Get2College, guides students and families through the 2026-27 FAFSA for dependent students, from start to finish. The FAFSA helps colleges determine how much financial aid a student is eligible for based on family size, income, and other factors. By completing it accurately, students maximize their opportunities for support to get to campus. Educators and counselors can also leverage this video to assist seniors and families using the official Federal Student Aid an Office of the U.S. Department of Education FAFSA site. Watch the full tutorial here: https://lnkd.in/ea5cWGry Get2College, a program of the Woodward Hines Education Foundation, provides free college planning services across Mississippi, including college search, test prep, and financial aid guidance. #Get2College #HigherEducation #CollegeAccess #FinancialAid #StudentSuccess #MississippiEducation

We’re still reminiscing about the energy and connection from last week’s Magnolia State School Counselor Association (MSSCA) 2025 Conference! 🎉WHEF Get2College is proud to sponsor, exhibit, present, and participate each year in this incredible gathering of dedicated counselors and student support pros from across Mississippi. #MSSCA2025