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Perspective | From one life to generations: The power of adult learning in North Carolina

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Allied health students at Blue Ridge Community College. Emily Thomas/EdNC

Education is North Carolina’s most powerful lever for transforming lives, families, and communities. That’s why the state set a bold goal: By 2030, 2 million North Carolinians ages 25–44 will hold an industry-valued credential or degree.

We’re making progress. Today, 1.7 million North Carolinians are already there, a 15% increase since 2019. But we are still 13,279 short of where we need to be at this time. Closing that gap requires keeping adult learners at the center of our work, alongside learners at every stage of education.

This is where the myFutureNC Champions for Attainment make a difference. These leaders create opportunities that didn’t exist before, tailored for adults balancing work, family, and diverse needs. They’ve opened pathways for justice-involved individuals to restart careers, expanded hands-on training in high-demand trades with strong wages, strengthened reentry councils, and streamlined flexible learning models that make persistence possible.

Each effort is more than a program — it’s a lifeline. When an adult earns a credential or degree, their future changes, as does their family’s, and so does North Carolina’s.

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The ripple effects are clear: Parental education is one of the strongest predictors of a child’s long-term educational and economic outcomes. Reaching adults isn’t just about changing one life. We’re reshaping the future for their children, and for generations to come. 

That’s why champions matter. They see learners not as statistics, but as parents, veterans, workers, and neighbors — with talents, potential, and dreams worth investing in. 

As we look toward 2030, every adult learner reached is another story of resilience, another step closer to our statewide goal. If you know of an organization making a difference for adult learners, I encourage you to nominate them as a 2026 Champion for Attainment.

The future of North Carolina depends on the success of our adult learners. Their achievements uplift families, strengthen communities, and build a stronger state for us all.