September 27th, 2024

Houston’s higher education leaders are committed to improving access, affordability, and relevance

Writer: Andrea Teran

September 2024 — Conversations around education reform have become more urgent as institutions work to improve access and quality across Houston. At the Invest: Houston 2024 Launch Event, the second panel, “Education Reform: Pathways to access and quality learning experiences through policy, technology, and community engagement,” brought together key education leaders to discuss how their institutions are addressing these challenges.

Moderated by Matthew Neighbors, superintendent at Galveston ISD, the panel began with Alisa White, president of Sam Houston State University, who emphasized the importance of ensuring that students — especially first-generation and low-income — have reliable access to technology. “Many of our students work full-time and don’t always have access to broadband,” she explained. “When an ice storm hits, we can’t just say, ‘Go online,’ because some of them are driving to McDonald’s to use the Wi-Fi.” Dr. White stressed that schools need to take a student-centered approach to technology by making systems easy to navigate and aligning online tools with student needs.

Col. Michael Fossum, vice president of Texas A&M University and COO at Texas A&M University at Galveston, echoed the significance of technology, pointing out how much it has evolved since he started his career. “When I was a student, computers took up entire rooms,” he said, reflecting on the rapid advancements over the years. At Texas A&M, technology is being used to create collaborative learning spaces, particularly post-COVID, and to offer students greater access to resources like public-use computers and virtual counseling services.

Bob Keith, dean of the Cameron School of Business at the University of St. Thomas,

brought the conversation back to the broader impact of technology. “AI isn’t the solution by itself, but it opens up space to reimagine learning,” he said, highlighting AI as an enabling tool that’s reshaping how education is delivered. “It’s disrupting education in a way that forces us to rethink how we can increase access and quality.” Keith acknowledged the ethical and logistical challenges, such as ensuring AI tools are used responsibly and do not perpetuate biases.

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Shifting to policy, Dr. White praised Texas for its commitment to funding higher education, particularly the recent boost in support for community colleges. “Affordability is the biggest barrier for many students, and Texas has made strides in ensuring more students have access,” she said. However, she added that federal initiatives, such as expanding Pell Grants, are essential to continuing that momentum.

Col. Fossum agreed but pointed out that state funding has decreased over the years. “Forty years ago, the state covered 80% of the cost of higher education. Today, it’s the students covering that 80%,” he said, noting that this shift has made it harder for middle-class students to afford college. Both Dr. White and Col. Fossum emphasized the need to keep tuition costs manageable while finding ways to support students through scholarships and innovative program models.

This conversation reflects broader trends in Texas, where an estimated 51,000 new students are expected to qualify for Pell Grants, increasing access for low-income students. However, this year saw a 27% drop in FAFSA submissions, meaning 70,000 fewer high school students applied for federal financial aid compared to last year, raising concerns about lower fall enrollment and reduced access to necessary financial aid.

According to Keith, innovation is key to addressing affordability. “We need to experiment with new learning models that meet students where they are,” he said. He highlighted experiential learning as a particularly valuable approach, allowing students to gain hands-on experience in their fields while still in school. “It’s about blurring the lines between education and the real world,” Keith said.

With over half of Gen Z and millennials living paycheck to paycheck, college is becoming one of the first expenses they cut from their budgets. A recent Deloitte survey found that one-third of Gen Z and millennials have opted to skip higher education, top reasons include financial concerns. As this trend grows, institutions are increasingly challenged to demonstrate the value of higher education.

As the panel concluded, each speaker shared why they believe higher education remains a crucial pathway to success. Dr. White emphasized the resilience that a degree provides, stating, “People with degrees recover faster from job loss, have better health outcomes, and are more likely to contribute to their communities.” Col. Fossum agreed, noting that Texas A&M graduates are known for their strong work ethic and ability to adapt. Keith closed the discussion by emphasizing the importance of lifelong learning, adding, “Higher education teaches students how to learn — and that’s a skill they’ll carry with them for the rest of their lives.”

To read the brand-new Invest: Houston 2023-2024 report, click here.