Every so often, a new story makes the rounds about how Americans without four-year college degrees can still make six-figure salaries. It’s the kind of story that spreads quickly: hope for the non-college majority, proof that not all good jobs require a diploma.
Merisotis offers insight from his decades of experience as an author, policy innovator, and philanthropist on the future of education and work.
Lumina Foundation President and CEO Jamie Merisotis discusses the future of higher education and jobs with Sagamore fellow Derek Redelman.
Few aspects of modern life are as closely scrutinized as higher education, and no wonder: Though most Americans believe that a college degree leads to better jobs, many also think it costs too much and may not be worth the time and money.
“The U.S. is an example of frogs in the boiling water when it comes to talent,” said Jamie Merisotis, chief executive of Lumina Foundation.
Artificial intelligence, the fastest-growing force of change in society today, has captured the imagination and concern of leaders in fields such as education, economics, defense—and even religion.
The executive behind Lumina’s Captain Ahab-like chase of a number is Jamie Merisotis. After his interview pitch to board members, Merisotis joined the foundation in 2008 as CEO and president.
Colleges and universities are doing a better job lately explaining the value of their degrees, and increasingly they’re getting important help in making that case.
Critics of higher education have a point: Average inflation-adjusted tuition has gone down, but remains too high. Degrees pay off, but too many grads struggle finding good jobs.
