Taking a closer look at Idaho's stagnant go-on rate

North Idaho College President Rick MacLennan is all in on improving Idaho's go-on rate.

He is one of 10 higher education presidents and education officials from across the state who have formed the Presidents Leadership Council, which is focusing its efforts on increasing the number of students who pursue higher education after high school.

That council includes: MacLennan; Kevin Satterlee, council chair, Idaho State University; Jeff Fox, College of Southern Idaho; Cynthia Pemberton, Lewis-Clark State College; Rick Aman, College of Eastern Idaho; Marlene Tromp, Boise State University; Bert Glandon, College of Western Idaho; Scott Green, University of Idaho; Matt Freeman, State Board of Education; and Dwight Johnson, Idaho Career and Technical Education Administrator.

"There is great momentum for the four-year and two-year college presidents to work together, more than we ever have, to ensure Idaho’s students have a variety of opportunities to better their lives through education beyond a high school degree," MacLennan said Wednesday. "This commitment to unite and work together to focus on the student experience is what invigorates me to be part of the Presidents Leadership Council."

The council has been meeting since August to discuss Idaho's stagnate go-on rate, which, according to data from Idaho Education News, has remained at a flat 45 percent for three years.

"A core community college purpose is to meet all students where they are and provide open and affordable access to viable pathways to careers," MacLennan said. “Many of our students are first-generation. Our focus on helping them navigate the college environment to successfully complete a career-technical certificate or two-year degree, or prepare them to transfer to a four-year university program, positions them for higher wages and a better quality of life in their communities.”

With a thriving economy, MacLennan said, prospective students have the choice “to immediately earn an income or take the time to invest in themselves, go to college and pursue a higher paying job.”

“Everyone deserves the opportunity to take care of their family and to prosper,” he said. “It’s our role to remain relevant in offering opportunities of study where students can have successful careers after graduation.”