The Graduation Imperative is a regional collaboration that was formed to increase educational attainment rates and connect talent into the Columbia market for a more vibrant community.

Anchored around our region’s institutions of higher education, our strategy focuses on community-led initiatives to engage and develop two- and four-year college graduates. By improving college retention, we will encourage economic growth and development in the Midlands.

The Graduation Imperative is led by Columbia Opportunity Resource (COR) and the Navigating Good to Great Foundation, with assistance from CCCF and strategic partnerships with several institutions of higher education.

This initiative is in its early phases, but we are already hard at work. Meetings with a group of key players are under way, including representatives from the S.C. Commission on Higher Education, Richland One Middle College, the Midlands Education and Business Alliance, the University of South Carolina, Columbia College, Midlands Technical College and South University.

Just how important is a college degree?

It’s estimated that 68 percent of all new jobs created between 2010 and 2018 will require a college degree.

With a current post-secondary degree attainment rate of only 27 percent locally, we won’t have the qualified workers to fill them.

Improving college retention is essential to economic growth and to attract and retain businesses in the Midlands. Companies can’t grow without trained people to fill jobs. Our region’s economic potential rests firmly on our ability to graduate talented, educated workers.

Get involved: Learn more about how schools, students and businesses can make a difference.