Catalyzing Prosperity: How Universities and Philanthropy Are Transforming Economic Mobility at Scale

Despite access to higher education, economic opportunity remains deeply unequal across America. This panel brings together Bridget Burns, CEO of the University Innovation Alliance, and Jamie Merisotis, CEO of the Lumina Foundation, to explore how strategic partnerships between universities and philanthropy are creating scalable models for economic mobility. The conversation will examine how public universities – America’s engines of opportunity – are being reimagined through collaborative innovation to serve as powerful drivers of regional prosperity. Speakers will share concrete examples of initiatives that have significantly improved graduation rates and career outcomes for first-generation and underrepresented students across multiple institutions. The discussion will highlight how philanthropic capital has catalyzed systemic changes in higher education that traditional funding models couldn’t achieve alone, creating sustainable pathways to prosperity for historically marginalized communities. Attendees will gain insights into building cross-sector partnerships that align university missions with regional workforce needs and community development goals to create more inclusive economies.