Business Champions

March 16, 2009

 

 

LUMINA FOUNDATION SUPPORTS BUSINESS CHAMPIONS TO HELP ADVANCE POSTSECONDARY ACHIEVEMENT

 

Lumina Foundation for Education announced recently its support of The National Center for Business Champions:  Advancing Post-Secondary Achievement and Workforce Skills with a $597,000 grant.  Business Champions will mobilize the voices of business leaders to stimulate new thinking, strengthen political will, and move policies to increase the number and quality of college graduates.  

 

“Lumina’s “big goal”, said Jamie Merisotis, president and chief executive officer of Lumina, “is that by the year 2025, we want 60 percent of the American population to hold high-quality, two- or four-year college degrees and credentials.  To accomplish this, we must make sure that every American has the opportunity to succeed in higher education.  We are determined to make this happen and join forces with those that can help us.”

 

The National Center for Business Champions:  Advancing Post-Secondary Education and Workforce Skills will be driven by Mary Gershwin, Ph.D. and Phyllis Eisen.  Both have been leaders in community colleges and employer engagement for over 25 years and are experienced in building an effective business voice for a skilled and credentialed workforce.  

 

“Employers spend over $100 billion on employee learning and are still not getting the skilled workforce they need.  We now know that business leaders understand they cannot get the workforce they need by working alone.  That means joining forces in support of change that advances postsecondary education attainment,” stated Mary Gershwin.

 

“Business leaders from all sectors across the economy are working on solutions now,” she emphasized. “Our job is to mobilize this active, but disconnected network of engaged leaders to break down barriers that for too long have held so many people back from earning the credentials they need to get ahead.”

 

“Without a credentialed and skilled workforce, business cannot compete,” said Phyllis Eisen, former executive for 20 years with the National Association of Manufacturers.  Eisen will work with Gershwin as Senior Advisor.  “Whether it is in new green jobs, health care or modern manufacturing, we cannot be first in the world without a first-class workforce.  We get that through education and training – and the best place for that is in community and technical colleges.  When the recovery occurs, will our workforce be ready?”

 

Launched in collaboration with the Community College of Aurora, The National Center for Business Champions (NCBS) recently opened its doors.  “Our plans are big but the focus is steady,” Eisen explained, “We will work to rally many powerful voices to support increased postsecondary attainment.  With those tools, everyone can succeed.” 

 

“With difficult economic times,” Merisotis concluded, “now is the time to reach out to those who need new skills and new hopes to take care of their families and their country.  Higher education, business and philanthropy need to work together to create access and success for all.”

 

For more information contact: 

Mary.gershwin@businesschampions.org or Phyllis.eisen@businesschampions.org