Building Blocks to 2020

  

President Obama has set an ambitious goal of making the United States first in the world in college completion by 2020. Reaching that threshold requires immediate and bold national effort. 

Private, nonprofit higher education welcomes this challenge and pledges an even greater commitment to help all Americans who can benefit from a higher education realize the opportunity to enroll in college and complete their degrees. This website features hundreds of programs at private colleges and universities nationally to expand access to college and ensure degree completion. 

This site was officially launched in September 2010. However, we will indefinitely continue to gather and post new examples of private college initiatives to enhance access and success for our students. We've also built a collection of videos on YouTube about going to and staying in college.

A two-year progress report was issued in early 2012. Every two years, an update will be issued indicating the number of participating colleges and the collective change in retention rates or number of graduates for a given year.  

 


NAICU, CIC Unveil Building Blocks to 2020 Website

September 23, 2010

NAICU and CIC have unveiled the Building Blocks to 2020 website to highlight and support efforts by nonprofit private colleges and universities to increase the number of at-risk students they enroll, and to boost the retention and graduation rates of various student populations.

"Yes We Must" Summit Warns of Growing Crisis in Higher Education

Pine Manor College Web Site

March 29, 2010

A coalition of private colleges from across the U.S. warned of a growing crisis in higher education during the first "Yes We Must" Summit held in Boston.  College officials expressed concern about the country's ability to regain global leadership in college attainment unless lawmakers and the philanthropic community significantly increase support for small colleges and universities that are currently struggling to give access to new populations of college students.