The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) has joined Lumina Foundation’s State Attainment Collaborative, a multi-state initiative designed to strengthen workforce readiness and economic development through expanded access to postsecondary education and training. The program supports Lumina’s Goal 2040, which aims for 75 percent of U.S. working-age adults to hold a college degree or high-value credential by the year 2040. Currently, 55 percent of adults in this group have such qualifications, up from 39 percent in 2008 when Lumina first introduced its national target.
Tennessee will collaborate with leaders in education, business, policy, and nonprofit sectors across 12 other states—Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia—to redefine what constitutes a valuable credential, update statewide attainment goals, and align programs to better serve modern learners. Dr. Steven Gentile, Executive Director of THEC, emphasized that education remains central to both individual advancement and regional economic strength. He stated that the partnership reaffirms Tennessee’s commitment to ensuring all residents have pathways to meaningful careers and stronger communities.
Michelle Asha Cooper, Lumina’s Vice President for Public Policy, noted that setting measurable objectives for credential attainment reflects a broader dedication to equity and economic resilience. She added that collaborative efforts allow states to refine strategies, exchange best practices, and ensure outcomes benefit individuals, employers, and local economies alike. By participating in this network, Tennessee aims to make post-high school learning more accessible and directly linked to real-world employment opportunities, ultimately enhancing workforce quality and statewide prosperity.
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Tennessee Joins Multistate Effort Using Higher Education to Drive Economic Prosperity
The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) has announced that Tennessee has joined Lumina Foundation’s State Attainment Collaborative, a multistate initiative to help states revise or adopt goals for ensuring people receive formal education or training that leads to further learning and career opportunities. n nThis effort will build momentum toward Lumina’s Goal 2040: By 2040, three-fourths of adults in the U.S. labor force will have college degrees or other credentials with value that lead to meaningful careers and economic mobility. n nThrough the collaborative, Tennessee will work alongside education, business, civic, nonprofit, and policy leaders from 12 other participating states — Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Washington and West Virginia — to define what makes a credential valuable, update its statewide educational attainment goals, and align policies and programs to support today’s students. n n“Tennessee has long recognized that education is the foundation of economic growth and individual opportunity,” said Dr. Steven Gentile, THEC Executive Director. “By joining Lumina’s collaborative, we are reaffirming our commitment to ensuring every Tennessean has access to valuable learning and training that lead to great careers and stronger communities.” n nLumina launched the country’s first national post-high school attainment goal in 2008, sparking a movement that led 49 states to establish their own state-specific targets. Since then, the share of working-age adults with college degrees or short-term credentials has grown from 39 percent in 2008 to 55 percent in 2023. n n“Setting clear goals for increasing degrees and workforce credentials demonstrates Tennessee’s commitment to expanding opportunity and strengthening its economy,” said Michelle Asha Cooper, Lumina’s Vice President for Public Policy. “Through formal collaboration, we can help refine goals, share lessons, and ensure they center on value for individuals, communities, and employers.” n nBy participating in this effort, Tennessee aims to ensure that learning beyond high school translates into meaningful outcomes for residents and strengthens the state’s economy and workforce.