Education and Career Advancement
Education is a cornerstone of economic security, and we are committed to breaking down barriers to advancement. We research student parents, career training opportunities through apprenticeships and workforce development, and other policies that reduce student debt and make college more accessible for women, particularly women of color.
Threats to College Affordability: Impacts of the OBBB on Women and Families
In July 2025, President Trump signed the Republican-led H.R. 1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB) into law. The new law is a sweeping tax and spending package that forgoes trillions in federal revenues to award tax cuts to the wealthy while stripping essential [...]
Motivated but Underserved: Supporting Student Parents on the Path to a Bachelor’s Degree
Student parents—college students with dependent children—are highly motivated to succeed in college. They pursue degrees not only to achieve economic mobility for themselves but also to secure a better future for their children. Despite their high aspirations, they encounter significant barriers that contribute to [...]
Short-Term Credentials, Long-Term Impact: Making Skills-Based Education Work for Women
In early May, researchers, practitioners, and advocates came together at the National Skills Coalition’s (NSC) annual Skills Summit to discuss issues related to skills-based education—training programs that focus on developing specific skills or competencies (versus traditional educational programs requiring a certain number of credit hours, [...]
Cost, Coverage, and Contraception: How Policy Can Improve Access for Community College Students
Community college students face unique challenges in accessing contraception due to financial instability, lack of health insurance, and limited access to on-campus health services. This policy brief examines barriers to health care and contraceptive access, describes the impact of policies on affordability and access, [...]
