Colleagues –
Earlier this month, as you may have seen, the foundation shared a big announcement: Over the next two decades, we will double our giving. This is a focused commitment, dedicating the next 20 years to years to ending preventable child deaths, eradicating infectious diseases, and ensuring hundreds of millions of people break free from poverty and can get on a path to prosperity. Those are ambitious goals. And as Bill often says, “We overestimate what we can do in a year, and underestimate what we can do in a decade.” That perspective reinforces the importance of steady, sustained progress. Because, as you all know, progress happens in the day-to-day work of driving change where it counts.
That’s why I’m especially proud to lead a team focused on one of the most foundational drivers of opportunity: postsecondary education. Our team’s contribution to the goal of getting more people on a path to prosperity is clear. We know that a credential after high school is one of the most reliable paths to economic mobility and long-term prosperity. But we also know that too many students face barriers that prevent them from reaching their goals. The Postsecondary Success strategy is about changing that reality—by removing those barriers, scaling what works, and reimagining systems so students can succeed on their own terms. Because when more students, especially those who have historically faced the greatest obstacles—can access and complete a credential of value, they gain the tools to shape their own futures, support their families, and strengthen their communities. That’s not just how we contribute to the foundation’s long-term vision—that’s how we help build it, one student, one institution, one community at a time.
And we know making that vision a reality is possible. In Texas, a combination of state-level policy reforms and institutional efforts has led to significant increases in postsecondary attainment over the last decade. In 2014, about 36% of Texans (aged 25-64) held an associate degree or higher. And when including high-quality postsecondary certificates, overall attainment rose to 40.8%. By early 2025, the attainment rate increased to 50.5% - marking a double digit increase in just over a decade. That's progress in one state. Imagine what the ripple effect of equipping more students with a credential of value could be. Millions more students could earn degrees that lead to economic mobility. The wealth gap could narrow. More communities could thrive.
This moment invites us to recommit—to the urgency of our work, the students we serve, and the opportunity we’re building for generations to come.
Regards,
Patrick Methvin,
Director, Postsecondary Success
Quick takes
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