The Buzz
The Governor of Virginia has made higher education a central component of his programs for economic development and job creation. Here’s some he was saying on the campaign trail:
Bob McDonnell
June, 2009
Affordable Access: Educating Virginians for Top Jobs and Incomes in the Knowledge-Based Economy
“My focus is our higher education system, but the subject is really much broader. It’s about the future of Virginia as a thriving community, a growing economy, and a place where people from diverse regions and backgrounds, with varied interests and abilities, can live fulfilling, prosperous lives.” - Former Attorney General Bob McDonnell
With a daughter who graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University, and one currently enrolled at James Madison University, Bob understands the challenges facing parents and students seeking a high quality education at Virginia’s colleges and universities.
Virginia is among the top ten states in per capita income and around the top ten in various measures of educational attainment. We have long enjoyed an exceptional higher education system, with institutions that routinely receive high national rankings. Our progress, according to these and other measures, has been most impressive. However, it is not enough to set a new floor; we also must promote excellence and opportunity by lifting our sights and raising the ceiling.
The Virginia Business Higher Education Council recently reported in a survey that more than 75% of Virginians believe a college degree now is essential in order to succeed in the knowledge-based economy. Yet, currently, only about 35% of college-age Virginians are enrolling in a four-year or community college, and only about 42% of working-age Virginians have college degrees.
Not only do our colleges and community colleges prepare young people for the good jobs and high incomes of the future, but they also provide the new skills that adults need to stay well-employed in the fast-changing economy. They play a vital role in our economic development programs that attract new, job-producing businesses to every region of our state. Our colleges also partner with business on research that creates new discoveries, new jobs, and a substantial return on investment.
Bob McDonnell is running for Governor because he wants to help bring strong and sustainable economic opportunity and expansion to every part of our state—with good jobs, and rewarding careers, and good and growing incomes for all Virginians. He knows we cannot achieve that in today’s high-tech economy unless we raise the level of educational attainment in the Commonwealth. The current reality is this – the 21st-century economy requires increasingly high skill and knowledge levels. Too few Virginians are going to college and getting that preparation. And our present state policies are doing far too little about it. That will change under a McDonnell administration. As Governor, Bob McDonnell will expand access to college at an affordable rate so that more young adults are prepared for the high-income, high-demand jobs of the 21st century.
Bob’s plan for higher education includes 5 major components:
- 100,000 Additional Associates and Bachelor’s Degrees over the Next 15 Years
- Restructuring the System for Affordability and Employability
- Targeting Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and other High-Income, High-Demand Sectors
- Comprehensive Workforce Training/Re-Training Led by Our Community Colleges
- Public-Private Partnerships for Economic Development, Workforce Training and Advanced Research in each Region
Bob has made higher education affordability an issue of great importance throughout his time in public service. In 1994, he co-sponsored legislation to establish the Virginia Higher Education Tuition Trust Fund to allow for advance payments of undergraduate tuition at two- and four-year public institutions of higher education in Virginia. He also co-sponsored legislation in 1999 to reduce tuition and fees by 20%. As Attorney General, Bob joined 31 other Attorney Generals in calling for the “Student Loan Sunshine Act, ” giving greater transparency to student loan practices.