Closing the Gap: Educational Attainment in North Carolina Artwork

The Connector

The Connector podcast from The Institute for Emerging Issues at NC State University, explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina.IEI is a nonpartisan public policy organization focused on the state’s vibrancy and economic competitiveness working with leaders in business, education and public policy to discuss issues with profound implications for North Carolina’s future prosperity.

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The Connector

Closing the Gap: Educational Attainment in North Carolina

April 07, 2025 • Institute for Emerging Issues • Season 2 • Episode 5

What exactly is the educational attainment gap? Why should North Carolinians care and how are we tackling this challenge?

For the 2022 Emerging Issues Forum, IEI partnered with myFutureNC to highlight North Carolina’s educational attainment gap and the state’s goal of 2 million North Carolinians aged 25-44 holding an industry-valued credential or postsecondary degree by the year 2030.

In this episode of The Connector, IEI Director Sarah Hall and myFutureNC President and CEO Cecilia Holden break down what the educational attainment gap is, the story behind “2 million by 2030” and where we are now in reaching that goal. They also explore the latest insights from the 2025 State of Educational Attainment Report as well as next steps to achieve this ambitious goal.

The Connector podcast explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina. To learn more about the Institute for Emerging Issues, visit emergingissues.org.