Why Focus on Adult Students?
A focus on postsecondary access and success for adult students, age 25-64, is a new direction for WHEF but also an important one if WHEF is to achieve its mission of helping “more Mississippians obtain postsecondary credentials, college certificates, and degrees that lead to meaningful employment.” Postsecondary education is crucial for adults seeking to succeed in the contemporary job market.
Adults are often well aware that additional education can help them improve their economic status. As of 2019, 44% of adults without college degrees in Mississippi felt that they needed additional education to advance in their careers. As a state, Mississippi can also benefit from increased educational attainment among its adult residents. An educated workforce can attract new employers and industries to the state and help existing employers fill job openings.
Read more about WHEF's newly-adopted plan to support Mississippi's working-age adult population here.