Business Champions to Watch

Do you know a business leader who is making a significant contribution to help expand educational opportunities so more people earn valuable degrees and credentials after high school? Have you worked with a business leader who has been a vital partner in breaking down systemic barriers that limit opportunities for postsecondary education? If so, we want to hear from you.

Read more about what we are looking for and how you can nominate a leader Take Action.

Building a New Community College System for Louisiana

Ten years ago, Louisiana’s state system of community and technical colleges was poorly understood by key leaders in business, education and government. There were low expectations about how community and technical colleges could contribute to the workforce, economic development and overall educational landscape.

Read More
Joe Foley: Corporate Giving Turns into Passion for Educating Students in Maine

The Unum Group, a leading provider of employee benefits, is one of the largest employers in the state of Maine. Long committed to corporate stewardship and social responsibility, giving back to the communities where their employees live and work is woven into the cultural fabric of the company.

Read More
Susan Valverde: Improving the Quality of Education in a Small Texas Community

In a region plagued with low high school graduation rates, Susan Valverde has been a staunch advocate for change so that more students finish high school, achieve postsecondary education and get the credentials they need to succeed.

Read More
Scott Thiss: Expanding Opportunities through Board Level Leadership

CEO and entrepreneur Scott Thiss has a passion for helping people get the skills they need to get ahead. For Thiss, helping a few individuals is not enough. As a trustee of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, he has focused on systemic-level changes that break down barriers and expand opportunities for thousands of people to get an education and prepare for promising careers.

Thiss' approach merits the attention of business leaders who are considering how service on a board...

Read More
Alan Jones: Collaborative Leadership Expands Opportunities for Entry-level Healthcare Workers

For many workers, a job in housekeeping at a hospital is another dead-end position in an endless cycle of low pay, low skills, and limited opportunity. For a housekeeper at The Health Allliance of Greater Cincinnati, an entry-level job can be the first step in a pathway that leads to valuable credentials and a career as a health professional.

Read More