Jobs for the Future is pleased to welcome Michael
Collins. He joins JFF after six years at the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board, where Mr. Collins’ work in education
policy development built upon his prior experience as a middle
and high school teacher engaged in education reform in challenging
urban schools.
“Mike will be a key player in JFF’s
efforts to analyze, develop, and advocate for state and federal
education policies that promote postsecondary success for all
young people,” according to JFF CEO and President Marlene
B. Seltzer. “His work here will build upon his diverse contributions
to education reform and policy development in Texas, which stands
out as one of the few states that has set a specific, numeric
goal for increasing postsecondary success.”
At the Coordinating Board, Mr. Collins served
as Assistant to the Commissioner and Director of Special Programs
and, most recently, Assistant Commissioner for Participation and
Success. He led a state initiative to close achievement gaps in
participation and success in higher education. He also worked
with the legislature, business leaders, state and federal agencies,
foundations, community-based organizations, and public and higher
education representatives on aligning the full spectrum of education
systems, from pre-kindergarten through postgraduate study.
Mr. Collins was instrumental in the development
of the College for Texans Campaign and oversaw its implementation.
Branded, “Education. Go Get It.”, the campaign draws
attention to the benefits of higher education and to the more
than $2 billion available in financial aid for Texas students
to go to college. The public awareness and motivational campaign
also disseminates information on the academic and financial preparation
necessary for college success. Using a two-pronged strategy of
community-based outreach and advertising, over 15 million people
have been exposed to the campaign’s message.
Collins joins Dr. Joel Vargas at JFF in analyzing
and developing state policies related to the Early
College High School Initiative. Blending high school and
college study, early college high schools allow students to earn
both a high school diploma and two years of college credit or
an Associate’s degree within five years. They are among
the most promising new solutions for young people who now fail
to get through the education pipeline and earn a college degree.
With funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Carnegie
Corporation of New York, and the W.K. Kellogg and Ford foundations,
JFF steers an investment of over $60 million in the creation of
150 early college high schools.
Collins will also contribute to two other policy-related
projects at JFF: Double the Numbers and Achieving the Dream. For
Double the Numbers, Collins will help JFF develop and launch a
"campaign-like" strategy to increase the number of underrepresented
students getting postsecondary credentials.
For Achieving the
Dream, a national initiative of the Lumina Foundation for
Education to enhance the academic success of underrepresented,
low-income, minority, and first-generation students, Collins will
focus on state policies that can improve students outcomes in
community colleges. JFF coordinates the policy efforts of the
multi-partner initiative, which is currently engaging 27 community
colleges in five states.
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