Corpus Christi was selected as one of six cities in the nation to take part in a two-year job-creation program by the National League of Cities. The Building Equitable Pathways to Postsecondary and Workforce Success group of six have each committed to increasing access and decreasing barriers to succeeding in higher education and gaining meaningful employment in their cities. 
“Postsecondary and job attainment are high priorities for Corpus Christi,” Mayor Pro-Tem Carolyn Vaughn said. “New business and industry continue to come to the Coastal Bend, and the new Harbor Bridge project is expected to need over 1,000 workers with varying skill levels. Ensuring that our citizens have the education and skills necessary for these and other jobs is critical to Corpus Christi’s economic prosperity.”
In addition to Corpus Christi, the other five cities chosen to participate in the Technical Assistance Cohort include Austin; Charleston, South Carolina; Houston; Jacksonville, Florida; and Nashville, Tennessee. These cities will receive technical assistance from NLC to set goals they can then turn into reality. 
To increase the percentage of Corpus Christi residents with high school credentials, postsecondary certifications, and associate and bachelor’s degrees, members of the Education/Workforce Committee are currently working on the city’s education strategic plan. The goal is for 60 percent of the city’s population to have a credential or degree by 2030. 
The strategic plan will be finalized during the two-year-long project, with NLC assisting in developing education pathways that lead to Coastal Bend jobs. The value of a college-educated community brings both personal and city-wide benefits. On average, an individual who earns a four-year degree contributes $278,000 more to the local economy than a high school graduate over their lifetime. An associate degree earner contributes $81,000 more, according to The Brookings Institution and analysis of Census data. 
Members of the team that completed the city’s application for the NLC project include Dr. Janet Cunningham, executive director of Citizens for Educational Excellence; Dr. Beth Lewis, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs for Del Mar College; and Dr. Gilda Ramirez, vice president of Education and Small Business, United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce.