Expanding Opportunity for Lower-Income Students: Three Years of the American Talent Initiative

Abstract

The American Talent Initiative (ATI) was formed in December 2016 to address a persistent issue—specifically, that the American colleges and universities with the greatest resources, and where students have the highest likelihood of graduating, have historically served far too few young people from low- and middle-income backgrounds. The American Talent Initiative has a goal to enroll an additional 50,000 low- and middle-income students at these institutions by the year 2025. The report explores strategies at the ATI member institutions making the most progress, particularly the importance of pursuing a comprehensive strategy with leadership and financial support, and discusses the challenges that institutions must overcome to achieve the 50,000-student goal.