Are certificates worth it? For which programs? Do they align with Colorado's future economy? With a new short-term Pell Grant program launching on July 1, 2026, The HEA Group President Michael Itzkowitz argues that Colorado policymakers have a real opportunity to boost the state’s economic prosperity if they can answer those questions.

The HEA Group’s three-year anniversary reflects its significant role in shifting higher education toward the use of earnings and ROI data to evaluate institutional and program effectiveness, influencing federal policy, accreditation, and student decision-making. Our research has helped drive new accountability measures, transparency tools, and policy reforms at both the state and national levels. Looking ahead, we aim to expand its impact by continuing to promote outcomes-based evaluation and ensuring that higher education delivers greater economic mobility for students.