Grounded in JFF’s legacy of postsecondary networks, Engaging Leaders and Empowering Vision that Actively Transforms Education (ELEVATE) provides the infrastructure, community, and vision needed to achieve enduring state-level impact and move us towards JFF’s North Star goal: By 2033, 75 million people facing barriers to economic advancement will have quality jobs.
ELEVATE is a national network reimagining postsecondary education to deliver real skills, real credentials, and real opportunity for economic advancement.
Launched in 2025, ELEVATE is a powerful space built by Jobs for the Future to advance innovation, scale solutions, and transform education-to-employment pathways.
The network brings together a broad coalition of state-level leaders from success centers, departments of education, system offices, education agencies and associations, and key postsecondary institutions to:
JFF offers personalized support that goes beyond guidance—we work alongside you, becoming your dedicated partner through hands-on collaboration.
We foster open communication, honest reflection, and shared accountability.
We embrace a “learn, apply, reflect together” model to drive continuous improvement.
We recognize that states are critical units of change and aim to empower them through partnerships and technical assistance.
We partner with state systems to embed scalable, sustainable transformation through long-term policy and funding opportunities.
ELEVATE unites the people shaping the future of postsecondary—state and regional leaders, policymakers, employers, and innovators.
Together, we amplify ideas, share solutions, and drive state-level changes that ripple across the nation.
We connect state-level education and workforce leaders with partners across the United States to drive major state-scale change.
Members engage in the network through:
Our country’s economic success hinges on building a workforce that includes everyone. But millions of people are unable to access the education and training they need for the jobs of the future. We want to reimagine what’s possible, and transform learning and working in the United States.
Our vision: By 2033, 75 million Americans facing barriers to economic advancement will have quality jobs.
The North Carolina Student Success Center and JFF developed an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Guidance Handbook to assist North Carolina community college leaders, faculty, and staff in ethically and effectively integrating AI technologies into educational practices, student services, and administrative operations.
This work was made possible thanks to generous support from Ascendium Education Philanthropy a division of Ascendium Education Group.
JFF partnered with postsecondary stakeholders, student parents, and other partners in Arkansas, North Carolina, and Wisconsin to develop state-specific strategy maps for improving student parent outcomes by scaling two-generation approaches. Work continues in these states to implement policies and practices related to expanding state-level, cross-sector partnerships, developing a culture of support and respect, and elevating cross-organizational, longitudinal data.
This work was made possible thanks to generous support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges launched the Early Adopter Advising Technology Implementation Project with six colleges to explore how technology can enhance advising. The community of practice will share lessons learned to support statewide scaling.
This work was made possible thanks to generous support from the ECMC Foundation.
The California Community College Chancellor’s Office launched the CA Competency-based Education Collaborative to explore direct assessment competency-based education with eight institutions. JFF provided technical assistance, coaching, and event support leading up to the forthcoming release of a blueprint for developing direct assessment CBE programs.
ELEVATE builds on JFF’s legacy of postsecondary networks to transform how learners earn and use credentials. By testing bold ideas and scaling proven practices, we’re reimagining pathways that lead to quality jobs and lasting economic advancement.
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Join the Network! Millions of people are unable to access education and training and find jobs that drive economic success for themselves and their families. Join leaders across the country taking meaningful action so that our people, our economy, and our country can thrive.
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