Georgia is taking on a new initiative to get more Georgians into college. The theme for the initiative is “Dream.  Plan.  Study.  Test.  Sign Up.  Apply.  You’re on your way to college, Georgia!”

It is estimated that by 2016 a bachelor’s degree or higher will be a minimum requirement for approximately 43 percent of available jobs.  Gov. Sonny Perdue recently announced that almost 68 percent of Georgia’s 4.4 million adults do not have college degrees.

The new statewide initiative, which is supported by the facilitators of the College Access Challenge Grant (awarded to Georgia in 2008), encourages high school graduates to pursue college education by explaining the benefits that such an opportunity provides.  Messages will go out to potential students via newsletters, e-mail, Facebook and a series of public service announcements aired by Georgia Public Broadcasting.

A few of the important state organizations that are promoting a college-going culture include the Georgia Department of Education, Georgia Professional Standards Commission, Georgia Public Broadcasting, Georgia Student Finance Commission, the Technical College System of Georgia, University System of Georgia, Communities in Schools and the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education.

– Amanda Rowell