Ten years ago, the city of Philadelphia took a close look at its employment needs and found an untapped source of human capital potential — some 70,000 adult residents who had started college, but never completed a two- or four-year degree. In 2006, community partners launched Graduate! Philadelphia, a collaborative community partnership focused on helping adults complete college degrees.

By focusing on “Comebackers” — returning adult learners — Graduate! Philadelphia proved that investing in degree completion pays off in multiple ways:

  • Adults who return to college and complete degrees infuse the talent pool with new skills, past experience and maturity in handling social and business relationships.
  • Adult college students bring their new knowledge back into life and work contexts immediately.
  • Increasing the earning ability of adult breadwinners has an immediate effect on the entire family and the community.
  • Adults college completion has a multiplier effect. Having a close relationship with an engaged adult who has completed college reduces the risk of a young person dropping out of high school and not attaining a college degree.

Building on Philadelphia’s model, the Graduate! Network has spread to 11 communities across the nation. The model meets Comebackers where they are, academically, geographically and financially. Graduate! advisors address navigational, social, motivational and financial barriers, connect career and college goals, and explain ways to maximize learning and minimize time to degree completion. College partners provide advising, information, and access points. Community partners provide consumer credit counseling. Employers provide information, tuition benefits and other supports.

Graduate! Philadelphia estimates that its work has had an $11 million impact on the regional economy since 2008. Nationally, the Graduate! Network boasts a 79 percent success rate for Comebackers.

Lessons learned from the first 10 years include:

  • Comebackers like accelerated degrees that reduce time and cost.
  • Many Comebackers prefer a four-year institution with smaller classes.
  • Many Comebackers need training to be effective online learners.
  • Graduate! advisors must help with motivation, time management, follow through, and confidence, plus college selection and finances.
  • Comebackers are often ill-informed about available financial aid for adults.
  • Comebackers need support past enrollment, to degree completion.

In conjunction with the work of KC Rising, the KC region is also embracing the principles of this program. In 2016, GradForce KC will explore joining the Graduate! Network to help boost postsecondary educational attainment, increase the talent pool and expand economic opportunities for individuals in the Kansas City region. Currently, there are an estimated 300,000 adults with some college and no degree in metro Kansas City. Lumina Foundation has committed some funds to help support a Graduate! Network affiliate in the region, and GradForce KC will need to seek matching funds to fully implement the program.