State Policies to Improve College Student Success and Opportunity

National student poll findings reveal that 3 in 4 students with direct or close personal connections to student support programs say those programs have been cut or changed within the last two years. As federal and state actions continue to reshape the higher education landscape, what can state policymakers and advocates do to protect and expand opportunities for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds?

This is the second installment of our Building the Conditions for Student Success webinar series, featuring legal, policy, and research experts who will examine the evolving federal legal and policy landscape and explore actionable state-level strategies to advance college access and success. Drawing on EdTrust's resource, How State Advocates Can Improve College Student Success and Opportunity, panelists will highlight policy approaches that advocates can pursue across varying political climates and share promising examples of state and institutional efforts to strengthen student opportunity and outcomes. 

The conversation will conclude with actionable takeaways for state policymakers and advocates, including how to leverage EdTrust's accompanying toolkit to identify policy priorities, inform state-level advocacy, and advance more equitable higher education outcomes. 

Participants will leave with: 

• A clearer understanding of the evolving federal legal and policy landscape and its implications for state higher education policy 
• Examples of promising state and institutional strategies to improve college access and success for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds 
• Practical policy recommendations and resources to inform advocacy efforts across different state political contexts