2025 State of the Learner Address

On September 10, College Futures Foundation President & CEO Eloy Ortiz Oakley delivered the 2025 State of the Learner Address. He shared fresh insights from new research on California learners, highlighting what they value in postsecondary education, what they expect, and what’s getting in the way.

At the heart of this story are Californians 25 and older who are balancing jobs, caregiving, and everyday responsibilities while striving for upward mobility. They see postsecondary education as a critical pathway but today’s systems still reflect yesterday’s assumptions.

Eloy explored what it means to truly meet working learners where they are and what we must do to rebuild the California Dream so that more people can work one job, care for their families, and build a better future.
Transcript