Join the discussion on higher ed challenges

The need for higher education is growing within Missouri, as an increasing percentage of jobs here require a college degree. The obstacles that stand in the way of making this a reality for many must, therefore, be addressed. Educators in Southeast Missouri have accepted this challenge and joined in to find solutions that will benefit future employers and meet the needs of those soon to enter the workforce.

Missouri's Coordinating Board for Higher Education is leading the charge to get to the root of higher education challenges, holding public hearings over the past six months to help promote higher education. Many educators from throughout Southeast Missouri have gathered at these hearings to discuss issues such as the dropout rate, lack of financial aid and family pressure not to attend college -- issues that contribute to only 49 percent of Missourians possessing a college degree. By 2018, 60 percent of jobs here will require one, according to a recent article by the Southeast Missourian's Katie Lamb.

Wes Payne, president of Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff, said, "The No. 1 reason a student fails to persist is that life happens as a result of the socioeconomic conditions they're facing ... The first thing they give up on is college."

But when jobs hang in the balance, when prosperous futures are at stake, college is the one thing they do not have the leisure to give up on.

Conversations leading to solutions to encourage and enable young adults to create an economically stable future for themselves and fulfill their dreams are conversations worth having. Those who have the wisdom to help now have an opportunity to make this a reality for others as well.

That's why lending a voice to the conversation is important. Included in these discussions are the availability of scholarships and adequate preparation so that high school graduates may be more likely to become college graduates.

Those who would like to offer insight into how to address the higher education needs but are not able to attend the hearings may do so by going to the following website through June 30: dhe.mo.gov/blueprintcomments.php.