ÑÇÖÞÎÞÂë

Equity 2030 is central to the mission of ÑÇÖÞÎÞÂë and our colleges and universities – it is also the right thing to do. 

We have a moral imperative to remove barriers that stand in the way of students’ success

Education is meant to be the great equalizer. Advancing equity is the only way to disrupt entrenched systems and barriers that have impeded disadvantaged students from achieving their potential.  

Educational equity is an economic imperative, key to Minnesota’s future workforce and a thriving economy

As Minnesota undergoes a profound demographic shift amid persistent racial and systemic inequities, Equity 2030 is not only a moral imperative, but the path to economic prosperity for not only our students, but for the state of Minnesota.

The future of Minnesota’s workforce and economy is facing unprecedented challenges. Postsecondary education and skills development will be even more critical to facilitating economic growth. Rapid technological changes and new ways of working are disrupting the workforce, jobs, and the skills employees need to do them.  At the same time, the seismic shift occurring in the state’s demographics related to the historic increase in an aging population combined with the simultaneous population growth in racial and ethnic diversity will significantly impact Minnesota’s labor market.

Employers will increasingly need to draw workers with postsecondary credentials from diverse and marginalized communities, communities that have historically had a low proportion of their population with higher education credentials. Only by enhancing access to higher education and closing the educational equity gaps will low-income and first-generation students, Black, Indigenous students, and students of color have the opportunity to gain social mobility and economic security, while providing Minnesota the skilled, resilient workforce it needs.