Letter to the editor: Pa. Promise would provide opportunities for all

During the 2024-25 state budget process, elected officials recognized the challenges faced by students, families and businesses. In a bipartisan fashion, they created and funded Grow PA scholarships aimed at attracting and keeping students in Pennsylvania for college, and once they graduate.

These goals are vitally important. The commonwealth has a pressing workforce need with a gap of approximately 770,000 skilled workers by 2035. It’s a challenge that, if not addressed, could result in companies leaving. Compounding those challenges, our public university system is one of the most expensive in the country, leading to rapid declines in enrollment and an increasing interest in out-of-state options.

Since 2008, I’ve had the joy of leading The Pittsburgh Promise. In that time, the organization awarded $173 million in privately funded scholarships to nearly 12,000 high school graduates attending post-secondary institutions in Pennsylvania. Because of this investment, student graduation rates have improved by 18 percentage points; 4,200 students have received post-secondary degrees; and the Pittsburgh region workforce has employed those graduates in more than 700 companies.

Imagine if this could be replicated for all Pennsylvania students. And imagine if those opportunities were extended to adult learners seeking certification and college credit.

We at The Pittsburgh Promise applaud this initial investment and pledge to continue to work with elected officials and other leaders to design transformational efforts worthy of our people and up to the challenge.

Our commonwealth is ready for a Pennsylvania Promise!

Saleem Ghubril

Hill District

The writer is executive director of The Pittsburgh Promise.