Dear Friends of ECMC Foundation:

This fall I was privileged to join university and business leaders from across the nation at two key venues for thoughtful discussion on the evolving role of higher education: The annual meetings of the Higher Education and Business Forum (BHEF) and American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). Those discussions were an acute reminder of the vitality of higher education and an affirmation of the adage, “leadership matters.”  

At BHEF, leaders from both sectors emphasized and modeled strong partnerships between business and higher education as instrumental to developing a skilled workforce. This is not a new issue, but the evolving demands of an AI-driven economy, concerns about college value and cost, and a shifting policy climate are pressing on higher education to continue to adapt. 

It was evident to me that higher education leaders are being responsive, adapting to this moment in the US and global economy and the seemingly endless challenges from the technology revolution. At AASCU, the consensus among university presidents and chancellors was clear: collaboration with business and community leaders is essential to prepare individuals for the workforce, especially for rebuilding the middle-class, which is vital to the nation’s economic and social health. 

Today, I am also encouraged by recent enrollment trends that show increased numbers of individuals seeking postsecondary credentials. Despite recent surveys that indicate American’s unsteady confidence regarding the value of a college degree, I believe that a more reliable touchstone is the extent to which men and women actively commit their time and resources by enrolling in a postsecondary program. Some of these enrollment trends include the following: 

Undergraduate enrollment increased by 2.4% in Fall 2025, marking three consecutive years of growth. 

Community colleges are experiencing a rebound after years of enrollment declines. 

Students are increasingly selecting majors with clear economic benefits and opting for more affordable, flexible, and career-oriented pathways.  

My cautious optimism extends to positive developments in undergraduate enrollment in rural institutions. As Dr. Stephanie Sowl describes in her piece, “Building Momentum for  Rural Institutions and Learners,” in the last few years, enrollment is up in institutions located in rural areas, reversing several years of decline that were exacerbated by the pandemic and outpacing overall enrollment growth. These early trends are encouraging and likely reflect recent concerted efforts to respond to the needs of rural institutions and learners. 

ECMC Foundation remains committed to its North Star goal to eliminate gaps in postsecondary completion for all students, including those living in rural America. Our focus on student completion is a signature characteristic of our Foundation. However, we are also concerned with related features and trends within U.S. education, understanding that the efficacy of postsecondary education—the extent to which students are able to complete credentials—is related to a myriad of variables. We fully appreciate, for example, that students need access to quality postsecondary education opportunities and that for many, such as those individuals who live in “education deserts,” options for education or training are difficult to find or afford. We also know that the ability of students to persist in these programs, once accessed, can also be challenging. Housing or food insecurity, or the lack of affordable or available childcare, can stymie otherwise talented individuals from reaching their postsecondary goals.  

So, while eliminating gaps in completion is our goal, we are deeply immersed in the dynamics and contours of the higher education landscape. And as our grantmaking has grown, so too has our capability to assess, document, and publicly highlight postsecondary trends that are key to ensuring greater postsecondary success rates for underserved students.  

Over the past two years, we have strengthened our research and policy functions, and are implementing a robust Impact Measurement Strategy. This effort, aligned with our grantmaking and investing, devotes significant attention to the progress of key student constituencies and the documented challenges they face in accessing, persisting, and completing postsecondary credentials. Where are we seeing progress? Who is being left behind? What are the key policy and programmatic levers that advance students successfully toward their academic goals? These questions and related ones are at the heart of this effort.  

As a first step in the establishment of our public impact measurement infrastructure, we focus on college enrollment. Beyond its role as a signature and leading indicator of student persistence and completion, enrollment also reflects the health of the postsecondary ecosystem. Enrollment data offers insight regarding the confidence that Americans have in the efficacy and value they place in their colleges and universities. Although the U.S. has created multiple avenues for individuals to access postsecondary education and training, knowing how those programs are used—and by whom—is a powerful marker of value. 

As we move into 2026, ECMC Foundation will continue to report on the status of U.S. postsecondary education, highlighting the challenges that remain, but also institutional leaders and forward-focused organizations like BHEF and AASCU that give us confidence that our work on behalf of students provides economic and social dividends to individuals, their families, and our beloved nation. 

Sincerely,

Jacob Fraire
President
ECMC Foundation