President Koppell Speaks at State of Equity in America, a U.S. News and World Report Event

The discussion covered the unprecedented challenges this generation faces – from the mental health crisis on college campuses to unnecessary barriers that prevent students from completing their degrees (including financial aid obstacles) to figuring out a complicated system as a first generation college student to prevalent disparities when it comes to internship and job opportunities. The list goes on, much of it rooted in systemic, institutional inequities.

But most importantly they talked about solutions: as we work hard to make college more accessible and inclusive, we have to accept the responsibility that the population we’re serving doesn’t have a future guaranteed and so it’s on us to help them acquire the skills and the mindset to take care of themselves post graduation. We need to work together to create opportunities for students of all backgrounds, from all types of institutions, and fight against the inequality of the established system.

Watch the conversation here.