Today, the debate around the value of higher education credentials, especially for students from Black, Latinx, and Indigenous communities, continues to expand. Economic instability, rising tuition costs, and student debt burdens weigh heavily on these communities.
In October, The Pell Institute for the Study of Opportunity in Education and the Lumina Foundation hosted a panel of TRIO college students who shared how their college experiences shape their views on the importance of education. This event – and the research study that precipitated it – gave Pell Institute student advisory board members a national platform to discuss the multifaceted value of college credentials.
As a board member, I appreciated examining the value of college through the perspectives of underrepresented students. Our purpose was to provide guidance and insights to ensure that the research aligned with the needs of those it sought to represent. As TRIO students from across the country, we provided feedback on the research design and responded to the findings.
College not only contributes to students’ financial stability and career advancement but also enriches their personal growth, strengthens family connections, expands social networks, and fosters a sense of collective and generational progress. The report release event explored the economic and non-economic benefits of higher education, presenting a framework that captures the diverse value of college credentials across six dimensions: economic, professional, network, personal, familial, and collective.
For many student panelists, college was a way to honor their families’ sacrifices and hard work.
Our experiences mirrored the research findings. Black, Latinx, and Indigenous students in the study noted that a college degree enhanced their chances of securing stable, well-paying jobs, which is key to building a brighter future for themselves and their families. Ninety-two percent of survey respondents identified employability as a core advantage of earning a college degree.
College serves as a catalyst for personal transformation. Higher education often fosters self-discovery, critical thinking, and personal growth. Students on the advisory board developed lifelong passions, gained confidence, and built networks that extend beyond campus. Rebekah Garrett, a TRIO Student Support Services participant at the University of Kansas, said, “For me, I just wanted to strive for more and for better. College has allowed me to do just that.” Garrett discussed how opportunity within her community deepened her commitment to pursue higher education and then give back.
For many student panelists, college was a way to honor their families’ sacrifices and hard work. In fact, ninety-one percent of students largely agreed that obtaining a college degree will bring pride to their families. The value of college extends beyond individual success—it is about creating a legacy that benefits both their families and future generations. TRIO Ronald E. McNair Scholar at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Nardos Kebede, shared how her parents instilled in her the belief that education is a powerful tool for economic and social mobility. “This is like your ticket out,” she said—a sentiment many of us on the board understand and relate to all too well.
Percy Cordero, a TRIO Ronald E. McNair Scholar and recent graduate of Westminster University, dreams of becoming a theater educator who advocates for diversity and inclusivity in the arts: “I want to be the theater teacher that I never got… You have a place in theater, regardless of who you are, what you are, and there are roles for you.”
Practical solutions to improve the college experience for students from marginalized backgrounds include expanding access to paid internships, providing stronger financial and mental health support, and enhancing career counseling to help students navigate post-college life.
As the daughter of an immigrant family, I understand the importance of pursuing higher education—not only for myself or my parents but also for those who can relate to my journey. Each day, I’m reminded that I am here for myself and to honor my family’s sacrifices and the community that shaped me. I hope to inspire others who, like me, need representation and support to succeed.
Higher education is my personal mission to prove to myself and others like me that we belong here, that our voices matter, and that we have the power to make a difference.
As the Pell Institute continues this work, I hope these findings, our perspectives, and narratives encourage colleges to build more inclusive policies that genuinely support marginalized students.