Beyond the Numbers: A Candid Conversation with Raj Chetty on Mobility and Opportunity
In this episode of the Innovating Together Podcast, host Bridget Burns welcomes Dr. Raj Chetty from Opportunity Insights for an insightful discussion on social mobility, economic opportunity, and higher education’s role in shaping the future. Recorded at the UIA National Summit, this episode dives into the data-driven realities of economic mobility in America, highlighting the disparities that exist and the actionable steps institutions can take to close the gap.
Dr. Chetty breaks down the powerful research behind social mobility, explaining how race and geography play critical roles in shaping economic outcomes. He discusses the latest findings on how universities can serve as catalysts for mobility, leveraging student success initiatives, data-driven interventions, and innovative partnerships. This episode also features a live Q&A segment where audience members ask thought-provoking questions, pushing the conversation further into policy changes, systemic barriers, and new approaches to measuring university impact.
Key Takeaways:
• The Role of Higher Education in Social Mobility: How universities can drive economic opportunity.
• Geographic and Racial Disparities: Insights from nationwide data on where social mobility thrives and where it struggles.
• The Power of Social Capital: Why networks and relationships matter in economic success.
• Redefining Institutional Rankings: How new classification methods could reward universities that prioritize student success.
Higher education leaders, policymakers, and changemakers won’t want to miss this episode. If you’re passionate about reshaping the future of student success and economic mobility, listen now and take action to drive meaningful change.
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“The fading American Dream is not just an economic issue; it’s a social and political one. If we don’t address social mobility, we risk losing what has historically made this country unique.” - Dr. Raj Chetty
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This week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here.
