Jean Rienzo is something of an anomaly at Eastern Connecticut State University. Rienzo is a 32-year-old single mother who lives off campus and has a demanding full-time job—certainly not the typical student at a public liberal arts university in New England.

Still, Rienzo found her place—and succeeded—with the help of a caring, kindred spirit: her advisor. The partnership between Rienzo and Nicolas Simon isn’t unusual at Eastern. In fact, it’s becoming the norm, thanks to the university’s years-long effort to improve student advising.

Photo: Bryan Thomas

As chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, Daniel Greenstein is days away from unveiling the details of a plan to consolidate six of the system’s 14 public universities into two new, combined institutions. 

Greenstein faces the task of trying to solve a tangle of challenges that many other public-college systems face. Those issues include a dwindling number of high-school graduates, increased competition for those that remain, ebbing financial reserves, and a fraught relationship with state government. The future of PASSHE may hinge on whether or not Greenstein's plan succeeds.

Photo: Drew Perine

There is a lot to like about Gov. Gavin Newsom’s state budget. It includes funding to expand the High Road Training Partnership model in various industry-specific sectors. It provides relief to assist immigrant communities. It invests in support services—like child care—for working families. 

All of these investments will play an important part in California’s economic recovery. But what’s missing is the critical role that digital skills training plays in building a just and equitable recovery, writes Luis Sandoval of Building Skills Partnership in this op-ed.