Overview

Launched in 2026, the Opportunity Alliance is a coalition of seven states convened by Education Strategy Group (ESG) and funded by Ascendium Education Philanthropy. Member states have committed to building integrated talent ecosystems that align postsecondary education with workforce demand and economic outcomes.

The seven founding member states are Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, New York, Rhode Island, and Washington. Each has pursued reforms aligned with the alliance's framework. Examples include:

• New York ensuring all State University of New York (SUNY) students have access to an internship or experiential learning opportunity before graduating
• Indiana requiring institutions to demonstrate evidence of labor market demand and positive student outcomes as part of the program approval process
• Louisiana creating a 60-credit credential that blends academic coursework with mandatory work-based learning.

Together, the alliance states represent approximately 2.7 million enrolled students and produce 480,000 graduates annually across associate and bachelor's programs.

The alliance organizes its work around three pillars, each with two focus areas:

• Economic Return
  • Increase return on investment for graduates
  • Increase return on investment for the state
• Career-Aligned Learning
  • Expand work-based learning
  • Align academic programs with workforce needs
• Innovation
  • Accelerate agile learning models
  • Reposition research to drive opportunity

Background

The Opportunity Alliance reflects a growing movement among state policymakers to dismantle traditional silos between higher education, workforce development, and economic policy. The alliance also recognizes the need for intentional alignment of academic programming, funding incentives, and labor market data, as well as collaboration between state systems.

Partners

• Education Strategy Group (ESG)
• States:
  • Indiana
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Missouri
  • New York
  • Rhode Island
  • Washington

Funder

Ascendium Education Philanthropy

Resources