State of the Union 2023: Successes, Misses for Higher Ed
President Biden used his State of the Union address to celebrate the administration’s bipartisan accomplishments. His speech also touched on hot-button issues, from the war in Ukraine to inflation. One critical issue for Americans is the challenges today’s students face navigating higher education.
We asked Today’s Students Coalition steering committee members to share what resonated with them during the president’s address. These are their reflections on big moments and misses for higher education and today’s students.
University of California Student Association (UCSA)
Success: The continued support for Pell was excellent, as was the mention of mental health issues among the youth. That will hopefully send a strong message to the Hill that these issues have support at the highest levels.
Miss: Basic needs, especially the SNAP legislation.
University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA)
Success: The focus on increasing funding for education (especially Pell), and connecting the workforce and lifelong learning pathways with public support for pre-k through community college are all worthwhile endeavors to help support professional, continuing, and online education students.
Miss: The half-time allowance that is provided to veteran students who are studying online. This provision continues to hurt distance education and student veterans.
Jobs for the Future (JFF)
Success: The emphasis on multiple pathways to high-quality jobs and expanding career-connected learning opportunities to high schoolers.
Miss: Job training and workforce development (the “how” of filling all these new jobs created through CHIPS, Infrastructure Act, etc.)
LeadMN
Success: The president brought attention to the idea that a high school degree is no longer sufficient for students to compete in the modern workforce. We must “connect students to career opportunities starting in high school and provide two years of community college.”
Miss: In a post-pandemic world, addressing basic needs is critical to helping students graduate. We need to work to address SNAP rules and outreach at higher education institutions. There also needs to be more of a conversation about how the federal-state funding partnership looks.
Although education, notably higher education, has never been the focal point of SOTU addresses, Today’s Students Coalition and our members were glad to see a few critical issues for today’s students raised by President Biden.
TSC looks forward to the Biden administration’s ongoing commitment to the needs of today’s students and American workers.
