Dr. Michael Crow
The report, "America's Talent Moonshot: How the United States Can Win the Global Competition for Prosperity and Security," comes from the Council on Higher Education as a Strategic Asset (HESA), a diverse coalition convened by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB). The group brought together leaders from business, the military, academia, and the nonprofit sector to address what they identify as an urgent national priority: developing human capital to fuel America's future.
"In a globally competitive knowledge economy, human capital is America's principal national asset," said Mary Papazian, Executive Vice President of AGB. "To remain prosperous, secure, and united in a rapidly changing world, the U.S. must act decisively—and higher education must lead the way."
The report identifies urgent talent shortages in sectors essential to national strength—healthcare, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, education, and engineering. Without a coordinated response, the report warns, these gaps could result in $1.75 trillion in unrealized economic activity.
While the United States once led the world in educational attainment, it now ranks 13th globally. At the same time, countries like China and India are making strategic investments in education as a national priority. The report argues that the U.S. can no longer ignore growing gaps between workforce needs and available talent, particularly as traditional higher education models struggle to serve today's diverse learners.
"This is about more than just classrooms and degrees," noted Dr. Michael Crow, President of Arizona State University and a co-chair of the Council. "This is about reimagining higher education as a strategic national asset in an era of global competition, technological disruption, and demographic change."
The report outlines a six-point national strategy that includes:
