Harris's Higher Ed Shift: A New Perspective on College and Careers

In 2009, then-President Obama set an ambitious goal to increase college graduates by 2020. His administration pushed for bigger tuition tax credits, larger Pell Grants, and free community college tuition. This trend continued with Democrats like Hillary Clinton and President Biden, who supported free college tuition. Recently, Kamala Harris surprised many by taking a different approach in her campaign blueprint. Instead of focusing solely on college degrees, she highlighted the value of skills and non-degree paths to success. Her document emphasizes expanding opportunities for workers without college degrees, promoting apprenticeships, and challenging unnecessary degree requirements. This shift could appeal to conservatives who have long supported alternative pathways to career success. However, it's too early to say if Democrats have truly changed their stance on higher education policy.