b'Dismantling Systemic Barriers The Value PropositionDismantling systemic barriers will be key to a higher education institutions abilityIn order to thrive in the shifting demographics of the next decade, colleges must to serve its community successfully. Lack of financial resources coupled with a lackask the value proposition question: what do we offer students, and is it what they of knowledge about financial aid programs presents a major financial barrier towant? To dismantle systemic barriers, colleges must develop programs designed non-traditional and minority populations. Programs designed to educate studentsto create a sense of belonging and inclusion. They must offer programs to assist about the cost of a college education as well as applying for and receiving federal,students in setting goals and staying on track. Advising must include wraparound state, and institutional financial aid are the major key to overcoming these barriers. services that address life needs as well as academic issues. Finally, students will need to see themselves as members of a learning community, and colleges In addition to financial barriers, non-traditional, minority, and first-generationmust foster student success by helping to instill confidence, provide a sense of students face a number of systemic barriers related to an absence of role modelsbelonging, and explain the relevance of academic course work. and advising, resulting in the lack of knowledge, encouragement, and support required to pursue a higher education. To combat this, colleges must provide creative opportunities. Additional strategies must include stronger direct involvement at the K12 level with programs designed to educate students on the benefits of a college education and career exploration. The complex demographic shifts predicted across the Mississippi GulfCoastoverthenextten Colleges will also need to develop clear curricular pathwaysyears will certainly aggravate the that draw connections between higher-paying jobs and long-term quality of life factors.systemic barriers faced by non-In 2020, 39 percent of all Mississippi jobs require some type of collegetraditional,minority,andfirst- education, yet only 34 percent of the states adult population has some collegegeneration students.education. By 2025, 60 percent of Americans will need some type of college education.2 Blueprint Gulf Coast InitiativeYear 3: The Evolving Economy. Gulf Coast Business Council. 20193A Stronger Nation: Learning Beyond High School Builds American Talent. Lumina Foundation. Mississippis Report 2019.EXCELERATE 20309'