OP ED: Universities Turn Dreams into Realities

By Gordon Stone, Executive Director of the Higher Education Partnership.

February 19, 2026

Today, students are making decisions about their educational future that will shape their dreams and Alabama's public universities stand ready to help them. Universities want to be a part of making their dream a reality.

Every year conversations occur across Alabama concerning a choice that faces high school students. Parents, teachers, guidance counselors, career coaches and, of course, students search for the direction for the future. Students can go immediately to work, step into a workforce training program that will match them to a job, or seek a four-year degree that leads them on a path toward their dream career. This process has been happening for years and has resulted in many great outcomes.

On the national level, there are stories being told that influence these important decisions. The Higher Education Partnership seeks to be a resource for the decision makers because it is important that the information that is being presented to the next generation of leaders is accurate. The Partnership is convinced that today’s generation of young leaders is talented, smart and capable of greatness. Therefore, the goal is to make sure these leaders are prepared for the opportunities that are along their path.

Industries like agriculture, computer and information sciences, engineering, construction, health care, finance, education, social services and many others are constantly evolving and having industry leaders with a refined university education is critical. Every person depends on technology, medicine, food sources and other essentials that are produced through systems linked to universities. These systems are knowledge-dependent and are led by individuals trained by today's universities.

The jobs are not stagnant and individuals who have critical thinking and leadership skills are going to be increasingly valuable. A recent study from Georgetown University shows that the jobs of tomorrow will require advanced education. They project that by 2031, 42 percent of jobs in the United States will require a Bachelor’s Degree or higher. Further, this data shows the income potential will continue to expand as educational achievement grows. On average, individuals with a Bachelor’s degree make $1 million more over the course of their life than their peers with lower levels of educational attainment.

As advisors and mentors offer insight and direction to high school students, the responsibility is great. America was discovered, men walked on the moon and cell phones exist because people dreamed. Universities turn dreams into realities by preparing the next generation. It is the Higher Education Partnership’s goal that every student in Alabama knows that the state's universities are open and ready to assist as they turn their dreams into reality.

To enhance the likelihood of this happening a few facts are relevant. Only 29 percent of the working population of the state has obtained four-year degrees. While this sounds okay, the reality is that the national average for four-year degrees in the workforce is 38 percent. Having fewer four-year degrees in the workforce impacts the types of jobs that the state's economic developers will seek. Data shows that the per capita income level of a state is much greater when the state has more four-year degree holders in its population. Improving the percentage of degree holders in the workforce will allow the state to attract industries from the economy of tomorrow, commonly referred to as the Knowledge Economy. Public universities are the most effective and efficient model for achieving this result.

The Higher Education Partnership represents over 180,000 students, nearly 70,000 employees, and thousands of alumni. These folks recognize that Alabama's economic future is best served by a robust system of public universities that are growing a workforce designed for the jobs of today and the economy of tomorrow.