Affordability matters
Traveling to every PASSHE campus this past fall reminded me why we do this work. Seeing our mission in action through the eyes of our students, faculty and staff reinforced just how essential this system is to all of Pennsylvania. That’s why we are so committed to ensuring a PASSHE university experience is not just high-quality but also affordable.
Because we have regained our affordability advantage, this year alone our universities saw an increase in first-generation students, transfer students, and Pell students. On top of that, we saw record high student retention. Because PASSHE universities are affordable, more students can start and finish their degree.
While it would be enough to protect affordability simply because it’s the right thing to do — allowing more Pennsylvanians to pursue their personal higher education goals — affordability matters for a broader reason.
You see, our commonwealth is facing a talent supply crisis. There are not enough equipped, qualified individuals for the roles our businesses, nonprofits, and public agencies need to thrive.
Affordability matters to everyone because we know that Pennsylvania’s business, health, and education sectors have the highest demand for talent right now.
We also know that PASSHE university students overwhelmingly choose those same fields of study, and every year we graduate thousands of talented individuals ready to enter those fields. (You can read more about this and other compelling system data in our Annual Appropriations and Accountability Report, now online.
Annual Appropriations and Accountability Report – Page 8, Figures 6 and 7
We must grow our state’s economy if we want to see prosperity for everyone. And one of the best ways to do that is by ensuring our economy has the talent it needs to grow.
That is PASSHE’s sweet spot. In fact, for every $1 invested by the Commonwealth, PASSHE universities generate $8 in economic impact — all while preparing the next generation of leaders, thinkers, creators, teachers, and more.
Investing in PASSHE is investing in Pennsylvania, and I am incredibly proud to stand alongside the faculty, staff, alumni, and students who make this system an economic engine for the commonwealth.
Because we have regained our affordability advantage, this year alone our universities saw an increase in first-generation students, transfer students, and Pell students. On top of that, we saw record high student retention. Because PASSHE universities are affordable, more students can start and finish their degree.
While it would be enough to protect affordability simply because it’s the right thing to do — allowing more Pennsylvanians to pursue their personal higher education goals — affordability matters for a broader reason.
You see, our commonwealth is facing a talent supply crisis. There are not enough equipped, qualified individuals for the roles our businesses, nonprofits, and public agencies need to thrive.
Affordability matters to everyone because we know that Pennsylvania’s business, health, and education sectors have the highest demand for talent right now.
We also know that PASSHE university students overwhelmingly choose those same fields of study, and every year we graduate thousands of talented individuals ready to enter those fields. (You can read more about this and other compelling system data in our Annual Appropriations and Accountability Report, now online.
Annual Appropriations and Accountability Report – Page 8, Figures 6 and 7
PASSHE universities are directly fueling the state’s talent pipeline, so anything that gets more people into PASSHE universities is not only good for them and their families, but it is good for all of Pennsylvania.
We must grow our state’s economy if we want to see prosperity for everyone. And one of the best ways to do that is by ensuring our economy has the talent it needs to grow.
That is PASSHE’s sweet spot. In fact, for every $1 invested by the Commonwealth, PASSHE universities generate $8 in economic impact — all while preparing the next generation of leaders, thinkers, creators, teachers, and more.
Investing in PASSHE is investing in Pennsylvania, and I am incredibly proud to stand alongside the faculty, staff, alumni, and students who make this system an economic engine for the commonwealth.
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