Pathways to Opportunity: The Virginia Plan for Higher Education

Higher education transforms learners, cultivates talent and offers pathways to opportunity. Education is the rising tide that should lift all boats, and "Pathways to Opportunity: The Virginia Plan for Higher Education" charts the course for doing so. The Plan reflects those near- and longer-term issues that significantly impact the landscape of higher education in the Commonwealth. Developing this Plan amid the pandemic and the emergence of social justice issues sharpened the report's focus on the challenges of equity, affordability and transformative outcomes--challenges not unique to Virginia. Several themes emerged from the year-long planning process. Results of a quantitative data analysis of the current state of higher education in the Commonwealth and input from a diverse group of higher education stakeholders confirm that "Pathways to Opportunity: The Virginia Plan" should: (1) Emphasize the importance of equity as a specific goal and underlying element of The Plan; (2) Ensure that The Plan's vision, target, goals, strategies and measures are linked closely; (3) Enable clear connections between The Plan and State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV's) day-to-day work and organizational commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion; and (4) Adopt deliberate and boldly aspirational goals in light of the pandemic and social justice issues. In October, Council established three goals for higher education: it should be equitable, affordable and transformative. These goals are the framework for The Plan's 10 strategies and five measures as well as the vision of "Best State for Education" and overall target of 70% educational attainment of all 25 to 64-year old working-aged Virginians.