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Early 2009 saw a Goal 2025 initiative being put into motion by the Lumina Foundation for Education based in Indianapolis. The aim of this initiative is to increase to at least 60% the number of highly qualified Americans by the year 2025. Closely following this, an announcement was made by President Obama on similar lines with 2020 as the deadline.

In an interview to the University World News, the CEO and President of the Lumina Foundation, Jamie Merisotis said that as on today, only around 39% of Americans hold a two or four year degree. He went on to say that the attainment rate in other countries has been growing at a faster pace in recent years. This has resulted in the rest of the world catching up fast with US education standards. According to him, this is a highly disturbing trend and something has to be done on a war footing to improve the now stagnant attainment rates in order to sustain amidst global competition.

Merisotis says that this problem can only be tackled by combined effort by several stakeholder groups. He says that the stage has been set by Lumina with the “big goal” target. A workable plan is also in place to achieve this goal. Three significant outcomes have been identified by Lumina. These include preparing students socially, financially and academically to pursue higher education, improving the attainment rates in higher education system and serving more students and increasing capacity by making higher education more productive.

The initiative, according to Merisotis is quite challenging and requires focussed efforts by anyone associated with the higher education community including philanthropic organizations, business representatives, Federal and State policymakers and relevant stakeholders.

According to him, there are many interim steps required to be identified in order to proceed further. Student preparation can be aided by expanding the student advocacy and service networks. Lowering inter institution transfer barrier and improving developmental education can significantly aid in improving rates of attainment.

Merisotis says that though the time frame is different, their goals are similar and in sync to Obama’s proposal. He also says that all their efforts are geared towards making the country socially stable and economically prosperous and this is possible only by raising the attainment rate.

Recognizing the pivotal role played by the community colleges, Merisotis says that these colleges will play a vital role. In fact, they are well positioned to lead the initiative. He also said that community colleges are experienced in many areas that are crucial to the plans of Lumina including adult education, alternate delivery systems and developmental education. However, he says that without the co-operation of all institutions, it is not possible to achieve their goals.

Merisotis added that under the current tough economic times, moving towards the goal is an uphill task. Major complicating factors such as increasing costs could severely deter them. However, he said that with effective new approaches and innovations in various vital areas, it is possible to work around the challenge and move forward with the initiative of expanding without diluting quality of education.