Illinois Higher Education Equity Symposium

The theme for the 5th Annual Higher Education Equity Symposium is: INNOVATING DEMOCRACY: The Role of Science, Technology, Engineering, Asts Mathematics and Higher Education In Expanding Opportunity “While Illinois has made significant progress in expanding access to higher education, substantial disparities in educational attainment and workforce opportunity remain. According to the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE), public university enrollment reached its highest level in a decade during the 2025-26 academic year, with total enrollment increasing 2.3% to 189,791 students statewide. First-time freshman enrollment increased 6.8%, transfer enrollment increased 6.5%, and fall-to-fall retention increased 1.4%. Enrollment growth has also been observed among historically underrepresented populations. African American enrollment at Illinois public universities increased from 20,962 students in 2024 to 23,001 students in 2025, representing a 9.7% increase, while Latino student enrollment also continued to rise. Despite these encouraging gains, Illinois continues to face significant equity and attainment challenges. Large gaps persist in bachelor's degree attainment, college completion, and participation in high-demand fields such as science, technology, engineering, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing. Students from low-income families, rural communities, and historically underserved populations remain less likely to earn postsecondary credentials and more likely to encounter barriers to advanced coursework, dual-credit opportunities, digital access, and emerging technology pathways. These disparities carry significant economic consequences as employers increasingly seek workers with skills in artificial intelligence, data analytics, healthcare innovation, cybersecurity, engineering, and other rapidly growing sectors. At the same time, demographic shifts and workforce shortages are reshaping the state's future. Illinois must increase educational attainment among all populations to meet workforce demands and remain economically competitive. As technological innovation accelerates, ensuring equitable access to STEAM education, research opportunities, entrepreneurship, and digital literacy is no longer solely an educational priority, it is an economic, civic, and democratic imperative. Higher education institutions, policymakers, business leaders, and community organizations must work together to ensure that innovation expands opportunity for all Illinoisans rather than deepening existing divides. Illinois and National Challenges Requiring Action Illinois' goal is for 60% of adults ages 25-64 to hold a high-quality postsecondary credential by 2025 (the state's "60 by 25" initiative). Rural Illinois counties continue to lag urban counties in bachelor's degree attainment. Hundreds of thousands of Illinois adults have some college credit but no degree. Educational attainment remains uneven across race, income, and geography. STEM occupations are projected to grow faster than many other sectors while underrepresentation persists among Black, Latino, rural, and low-income populations. Artificial intelligence and automation are transforming workforce demands faster than many educational systems can adapt. Access to AI literacy, digital infrastructure, and technology training remains uneven across communities. Civic trust, democratic engagement, and public problem-solving increasingly require citizens who can critically evaluate information, technology, and public policy. Join Higher Education Leaders from Across Illinois for Conversations on: * Student Success and Postsecondary Attainment * Artificial Intelligence, Ethics, and Emerging Technologies * Workforce Innovation and Economic Mobility * Arts, Creativity, and Human-Centered Design * STEM and Healthcare Innovation * Public Policy and Democracy * Civic Responsibility and Community Engagement * Rural Opportunity and Regional Development * Digital Literacy and Future Workforce Readiness * Systemic Transformation and Institutional Leadership Together, we can explore how innovation, education, and democratic engagement can work in partnership to create a more prosperous, equitable, and opportunity-rich future for Illinois and the nation.”

Fee Breakdown

Description	Amount
Participant Registration	$ 300.00
Dr. Lewis Harvard Presentation-Session Only	$ 75.00