In this episode, Jeff Selingo and Michael Horn speak with Ruth Watkins, president of postsecondary education for Strada Education Foundation, about Strada’s new State Opportunity Index. The index provides state-level data on five key factors that increase college graduates’ return on investment: clear outcomes, quality coaching, affordability, work-based learning, and employer alignment. As federal support for higher education declines and AI reshapes higher education and the workforce, the index offers states and education leaders actionable insights to strengthen students’ career outcomes.
As Watkins explains, “I think we see a lot of interest from states, a lot of relevance to states, and just incredible energy and enthusiasm for some guidance on what they can do to strengthen the connection between education and opportunity for their students and meet the needs of their employers.”