Every morning I skim through college and university listserves that highlight excellent information about our college students, featuring white papers, articles, both online and in the usual places, all which often contain compelling information. Today I came across a piece, published in Huffington Post, by author Jamie Merisotis, CEO/President of Lumina Foundation, entitled Want to Be Happier and Healthier? Then Go to College.
Taken from their website, Lumina Foundation is an independent, private foundation committed to increasing the proportion of Americans with high-quality degrees, certificates and other credentials to 60 percent by 2025. Lumina’s outcomes-based approach focuses on helping to design and build an accessible, responsive and accountable higher education system while fostering a national sense of urgency for action.
In Mr. Merisotis’ piece posted on October 15 he bases much of his piece on a University of Maine survey of alumni called It’s Not Just The Money, authored by Professor Phillip Trostel. He also references a recent Gallup-Purdue college alumni survey. Merisotis extrapolates, “much of what has been written about the outcomes of higher education to date relates to the economic benefits of high- quality postsecondary learning–the higher wages, employment levels and good jobs that are highly correlated with postsecondary credentials.”
He goes on to share that that college also leads to:
Happier, healthier lives
- college grads in the survey report “good” or “very good” health, 44% higher than non-college grad peers report
- 4x less likely to smoke
- Use 39% less government resources
- Significantly more likely to exercise, wear a seat belt, maintain a healthy weight, regularly see a doctor
- Contribute 100s of thousands of dollars more over a lifetime in local, state and federal taxes
- Volunteer 2-3 times more than those with a high school diploma or less
- Contribute 3x more to charities
- Vote and participate in politics at a significantly higher level
- Stronger participation in community organizations – schools, service and religious organizations
- Economic prosperity of communities
The gist is not only are there economic benefits for the individual, but also personal well-being and happiness for themselves and their community, which multiplies over time.
Merisotis goes on to talk about what is at the heart of Lumina Foundation, and something that we embrace at The College of Westchester; “though the case for college is growing stronger, a disturbing reality remains: college is not within reach for all Americans, especially low-income and minority populations. Millions are deprived of the financial and lifestyle benefits bestowed by college, and their communities miss out on the advantages of having a population with high postsecondary attainment rates.”
CW works hard to meet students where they are in helping them afford a college education, and supporting them with rich engagement and retention efforts including freshman year experience course Transformative Learning, gateway courses within the first 27 credits to further engage students, as well as rich employment development including specific job skills and soft skills, at the top of many corporate wish lists for new employees.
If you have not already clicked through to the Merisotis article, it is worth a read, especially if you are not sure if college is “worth it”.