Higher Education
Higher education is more important to states than ever before. Within the next decade, nearly two-thirds of the jobs in the U.S. will require some form of postsecondary credential. To meet that demand, states must lead efforts to graduate more students from high-quality certificate and degree programs with the resources available.
The NGA Center’s Higher Education team supports the development and implementation of strategies that activate state policy levers and leverage state resources for educational attainment and career development after high school. This includes short-term/industry credentials, apprenticeship pathways, degree completion efforts, skills-based training, and modernizing state data systems to meet the needs of evolving industry sectors. The team works to create and execute state-focused, high-quality technical assistance and peer learning opportunities to support Governors’ offices in maximizing the impact and effectiveness of their current postsecondary systems while exploring opportunities for innovation.
State Government Positions Supported
- Governors’ Education Policy Advisors (GEPAs)
- State Higher Education Executive Officers (SHEEOs)
NGA Higher Education Networks
- Governors Education Policy Advisors Network – The Governors Education Policy Advisors (GEPA) Network brings together Governors’ advisors working across K-12, higher education, and children and families’ policy to address the most pressing education priorities facing states and territories. Through monthly convenings, the network creates a trusted forum for cross-state collaboration, enabling advisors to exchange insights, share effective strategies and promising practices, and learn from peers navigating similar challenges. By connecting leaders across the full education continuum, GEPA helps strengthen state policy and advance coordinated approaches that support learners from early childhood through postsecondary education and into the workforce.
- Workforce Pell Readiness Academy Network – In November 2025, the NGA Center began convening states and territories to discuss Workforce Pell implementation concerns, challenges, and strategies. With support from JP Mogan Chase Foundation, the NGA Center for Best Practices launched the Workforce Pell Readiness Academy.
Focus Areas
- Data and Non-Degree Credentials
- Skills, Skills-Based Hiring
- Higher Education in Prison
- Workforce Pell
- Degree Apprenticeship
- Work-Based Learning
- College and Career Pathways
- Accountability
- Higher Ed Value/ ROI
- Student Completion and Success
- Higher Ed Finance
Meet the team
- Portia Pratt, Policy Director, Higher Education
- Kyra Gardner, Policy Coordinator
Featured Projects and Initiatives
Skills in the States – Phase 2
The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, with generous support from Walmart.org, launched Skills in the States as a community of practice focused on advancing skills-based hiring and talent management in the public sector. Building on the earlier Walmart-supported Skills-Driven States initiative, this effort expands the initiative beyond public-sector adoption to foster a robust learning community of public and private sector leaders committed to implementing skills-first hiring and talent management strategies. Learn More…
Higher Ed in Prison
NGA launched a higher education in prison initiative to support Governors’ offices and senior state leaders in expanding access to high-quality postsecondary education and career pathways for people who are incarcerated. With support from Ascendium Education Group, the project will help states strengthen alignment between higher education and corrections systems through a policy academy and cross-state learning opportunities focused on cross-agency governance, program and career alignment, education and technology access, sustainable financing, and integrated data systems to track outcomes and inform policy. Learn More…
Workforce Pell Readiness Academy
The recent expansion of federal Pell Grant eligibility to include high-quality, short-term workforce programs represents a significant opportunity for states and territories to strengthen their education-to-employment pipelines, support working learners and respond more effectively to the needs of regional economies. Governors’ leadership will be critical to ensure thoughtful coordination, strong governance and a clear focus on results – each vital to making Workforce Pell a success. To support Governors in this effort, the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices launched a new national project focused on Workforce Pell Implementation. Learn More…
NGA Resources
2027 Bridging Pathways Policy Academy
2026 “Bridging Pathways” Institute: Supporting Higher Education Opportunities in State Correctional Facilities
Building Degree Apprenticeships in Louisiana: A State-Led Approach to Strengthening the Teacher Pipeline
Building Degree Apprenticeships in North Carolina: A State-Led Approach to Expanding Earn-and-Learn Pathways
Attainment Through Apprenticeship
Building a Skills-First Future: NGA Skills in the States Convening
NGA Helps States Prepare for Workforce Pell Rollout and Future of Workforce Implementation
Supporting States’ Shift to Skills
Building the Skills Infrastructure States Need
Briefing on Credentialing and Skills Training
2025 In Education
