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.
Thankful for Small Graces: Women’s Construction Jobs Mostly Held Steady in 2025
It’s fitting that Women’s History Month, which began March 1, kicked off with Women in Construction (WIC) Week—an annual celebration led by the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) to highlight and honor the vital contributions women make across the industry. In January [...]
IWPR Comments for Proposed Rule to Omit Advanced Degrees in Many Women-Dominated Fields from the Regulatory Definition of “Professional Degree”
Re: Comments for US Department of Education’s Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Committee Proposed Rule IWPR strongly opposes the proposed Department of Education rule reflecting the RISE Committee’s decision to omit many post-baccalaureate degrees from the regulatory definition of “professional degree.” The degrees [...]
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 [...]
