Tyler Joins National Network to Increase Post-High School Attainment

TYLER — Tyler has joined Lumina Foundation�s Community Partnership for Attainment, according to a news release from the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce. With support and oversight from the Tyler Area Business Education Council, a cross-sector group of community members will work with Lumina, according to the release. Officials say the group will develop and execute strategies that will increase the percentage of residents who possess a postsecondary credential. Tyler is one of the final 20 cities in Lumina�s 75-city community-based attainment network. �The selection of Tyler as one of 75 cities to work with Lumina and other national thought leaders shows that the work in this community is being recognized on a national level,� said Tyler Mayor Martin Heines.

According to the news release, Lumina�s focus on community-based attainment began because of the foundation�s recognition that community-based networks are well-suited to play a role in institutional planning. The foundation also recognizes that such networks can provide the implementation and coordination necessary to create impact at state and federal levels in order to improve the nation�s higher education system so that it better serves students, according to the release. �It is important that leaders from all sectors of our community come together around postsecondary attainment because as education levels rise, more jobs are filled, more businesses invest and expand in Tyler, and our economy flourishes,� stated Christi Khalaf, Executive Director of the Tyler Area Business Education Council.