Completion Conundrum: A Conversation on Higher Ed Outcomes

Texas has a problem getting students of all kinds through some kind of postsecondary education: Graduation rates at four-year public universities, at community college, and in career and technical classes are well below the expectations of a state that brands itself exceptional. That’s why the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board created the 60x30 plan, which calls for, among other ambitious goals, an increase by 2030 in the number and percentage of Texans with a degree or certificate from a Texas-based institution. But wishing doesn’t make it so. What strategies and tactics are being deployed to increase college completions? Who is succeeding in this effort, and can emerging best practices be scaled and emulated? Can our parsimonious legislature afford the price of success?Join The Texas Tribune in person or on our livestream for a conversation about improving higher ed outcomes, moderated by the Tribune’s higher education reporter, Shannon Najmabadi.Panelists will include:Vistasp Karbhari, president of the University of Texas at ArlingtonRaymund Paredes, Texas commissioner of higher educationMillicent Valek, president of Brazosport CollegeThis event will be held in the second floor lecture hall at the Texas A&M University School of Law. The event is free, open to the public and includes a light lunch. Lunch and networking begin at 11:30 a.m., followed by the conversation at noon. Paid visitor parking is available at the coin-operated parking meters on the streets around the perimeter of the building and parking lots. Paid public parking is also available at the Fort Worth Convention Center Parking Garage on the north side of the law school.This event is hosted by the Texas A&M University School of Law. This event is supported by Pearson, Educate Texas and The Trellis Foundation. Foundation support is provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Lumina Foundation and the Sid Richardson Foundation. Media support is provided by KERA, WFAA, CultureMap Dallas, The Shorthorn and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.