Grow By Degrees

To learn more about and track the progress of Governor McDonnell's Commission on Higher Education Reform, Innovation and Investment please click here.

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Can Virginia lead the way in shaping a future of opportunity and prosperity in the knowledge-based global economy? We believe it can—and must.

Grow By Degrees, a campaign of the Virginia Business Higher Education Council (VBHEC), aims to fuel Virginia's strong recovery and sustained economic growth through high-impact investments and innovations in our public colleges, universities, and community colleges.

Our 2025 Vision promises a prosperous, entrepreneurial Virginia that ranks among the top states and countries in educational attainment and personal income. Access to an affordable, high-quality college degree is increasingly a prerequisite for success in the fast-changing, high-tech economy. Virginians who earn college, university, or community college degrees enjoy substantially greater opportunities for good jobs, rewarding careers, high incomes, and positive contributions to the community.

Investing in our public colleges, universities, and community colleges—especially in high-quality degree and certificate programs that prepare Virginians for high-demand jobs in the emerging economy—will produce enormous economic benefits for our Commonwealth. That’s why our 7 Policy Priorities appear prominently in the economic recovery/growth plans of forward-looking leaders in both political parties.

They all know there’s only one sure way to make jobs and incomes grow in Virginia—by degrees!

The Grow By Degrees Coalition includes civic-minded organizations and individuals with a wide variety of perspectives and backgrounds. All share a conviction that Virginians, regardless of income, should have access to the broader economic horizons opened by a college education. All share a belief that only a sustained program of investment and innovation in higher education—embodied in state law and in the business plans of our educational institutions—will make Virginia a national and international leader in attracting new business investment, research grants, and excellent job opportunities in the new economy. 

To help prepare a world-class workforce, attract top jobs, and propel Virginia’s economic expansion, Grow By Degrees advocates higher education funding and reforms centered around these 7 Policy Priorities:

  1. 100,000 More Degrees
  2. Science & Technology
  3. Cost-Saving Innovation
  4. Employable Work Skills
  5. Research Partnerships
  6. Regional Development
  7. Affordable Access

Click here to join us and let us know how you will help Virginia Grow By Degrees.

Join the Grow By Degrees Coalition
Thank you to our benefactors:

McDonnell lays out higher ed plan

January, 19, 2011

The Virginia Gazette

The bill provides a roadmap for achieving an additional 100,000 associate and bachelor’s degrees for Virginians over the next 15 years by increasing enrollment of Virginia students, improving graduation and retention rates, and assisting students with some college credit to complete degrees through public and private higher education institutions.

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Governor McDonnell Announces “Top Jobs of the 21st Century” Higher Education Legislation

January, 18, 2011

by Mark Hubbard

Legislation Creates Roadmap for Additional 100,000 Undergraduate Degrees

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McDonnell announces higher-education legislation

January, 18, 2011

Richmond Times-Dispatch

Gov. Bob McDonnell announced legislation Monday that would expand the number of slots for Virginians seeking to attend state colleges and establish a long-term link between higher education and job creation.

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Up coming events that are important to the future of higher education in Virginia:

 

The Governor's Commission on Higher Education: 

Full Commission Meeting

December 3, 2010

VCU, Student Commons

 

Innovation and Cost Containment

July 29 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Richmond, Virginia

 

August 23 – 10 a.m - 2 p.m.

George Mason University - Fairfax Campus

The Mason Inn

4352 Mason Pond Drive

Fairfax, VA 22030

 

September 17 - Time TBA

Richmond. Virginia

 

Degree Attainment, Financial Aid and Workforce Training Committee


August 31, 2010
10:00 AM - 02:00 PM
Hampton University

 

Regional Strategies/Partnership for Research and Economic Development Committee

 

September 08, 2010

Time: TBD

Harrisonburg, Virginia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Virginia Summit on Economic
Competitiveness & Higher Education


Thursday, October 1, 2009
Greater Richmond Convention Center
403 North 3rd Street
8 a.m., Registration
8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Program

Continental breakfast & lunch included.
Admission is complimentary, but seating is limited.

  • Remarks by Senator Creigh Deeds & Former Attorney General Bob McDonnell candidates for Governor
  • Report on Economic Impact of Virginia’s Public Colleges
  • Panel Discussions featuring Business and Political Leaders

By invitation only. Limited seating available. RSVP by September 23, at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or Missy Neff at 804.775.1908.

Download PDF of invitation.

 

Press Conference
Monday, June 22
8:30 a.m.
Taubman Museum of Art
110 Salem Ave, SE
Roanoke, VA 24011

Press Conference
Monday, June 22
1:00 p.m.
Town Point Club
101 W. Main Street
Suite 300
Norfolk, VA 23510

Press Conference
Monday, June 22
3:30 p.m.
Virginia Bio-Technology Research Park
800 E. Leigh Street
Richmond, VA 23219