In keeping with its mission of advancing the Houston region as one of the top ten global communities in which to live and work, the Center has convened an ambitious education initiative — the Talent Dividend, a program to increase the graduation rates at two and four-year college institutions. It is motivated by data showing that education explains most differences in metro income, economic competitiveness and prosperity, voting rates, volunteering, crime, and drug abuse.
Although Houston is the 4th largest city in the U.S., it is currently 34th in college attainment, with a 28.4% four-year college attainment rate (2010 American Community Survey), and only 6% have a two-year degree.
The goal of the Talent Dividend is to increase postsecondary degree attainment by *at least 1% to a minimum of 29.4% by 2013. A 1% increase in post-secondary degrees translates into $4.2 billion for the Houston regional economy.
Are you someone who could benefit from starting or going back to college to finish your degree? If so, take a look at some of the resources available to you at MyDegreeCounts.com and continue your journey to success!
*CEOs for Cities will award $1 million to the region with the greatest increase in post-secondary degrees in 2009-2010 and 2012-2013.
How Can YOU Help the Houston Region Achieve a Better Educational Outcome?
Join one of our Talent Dividend Subcommittees! CLICK on the appropriate Subcommittee Logo below to see what each subcommittee is doing, and begin making a difference in our region's education:
The Center hosted a Talent Dividend Summit on September 22, 2011 at the University of Houston to rally community leaders around the Talent Dividend Goal of increasing degree attainment by at least 1% by 2013. More than 100 leaders in the business, education, government, and non-profit sectors attended and committed to making a substantial effort to reach our goal. At this point, strategies and plans of implementation to increase our region's graduation rates have been developed by each of the sectors/sub-committees. A workshop to track progress and success was held on February 10, 2012 as part of the Center's Symposium on Human Capital Development and Education.
Results from this coordinated effort will start to be noticed around Spring of 2012. To participate in the initiative and form part of one of these subcommittees, contact Sandra Wegmann or call her at 713-844-9324.
To see the Talent Dividend Summit's Main Presentations, click on the videos below:
Scott Hochberg, Texas House of Representatives; Chair, Education subcommittee, House Committee on Appropriations
Douglas Foshee, El Paso Corporation, Chairman, President and CEO
Dr. Richard Carpenter, Lone Star Community College, Chancellor
Barbara Paige, Houston Leadership for Tomorrow, Executive Director
Dr. Mary Spangler, Houston Community College System, Chancellor
Dr. John Rudley, Texas Southern University, President
Stephen Maislin, Greater Houston Community Foundation, President and CEO
Dr. Renu Khator, University of Houston, Chancellor and President
Elaine Barber, Greater Houston Partnership, VP Public Policy
Dr. Brenda Hellyer, San Jacinto Community College, Chancellor
Kelly Frels, Bracewell & Giuliani, Senior Partner and Center for Houston’s Future, Board Chair
Dr. Terry Grier, Houston Independent School District, Superintendent
Annual Indicator Symposium
The Center’s Report Card on Human Capital Development: Early Childhood Development, K-12 and Workforce Preparedness was released to the community at a public Community Indicators Symposium on February 10, 2012 at the George R. Brown Convention Center. The event included a Talent Dividend workshop to discuss strategies and examine best practices.
Although Houston is the 4th largest city in the U.S., it is currently 34th in college attainment, with a 28.4% four-year college attainment rate (2010 American Community Survey), and only 6% have a two-year degree.
