working together
For Inland Empire Educational & Economic Success
Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) is a regional K-16 collaborative working to achieve educational and economic equity in the Inland Empire. GIA staff support this work by engaging a cross-sector network of education, government, nonprofit, and business institutions in the Inland Empire, working towards a shared vision of educational and economic success. GIA’s vision is that by 2035, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties will be widely recognized for their educated workforce, thriving communities, and vibrant economy that creates prosperity for all. Everyone who lives, works, studies, and conducts business in the Inland Empire plays a critical role in achieving GIA’s vision. Thank you for your collaboration and support.
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Recent News & Announcements
Growing Inland Achievement appoints Dr. Ashish Vaidya as President & CEO
Ashish Vaidya will join Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, following an extensive nationwide search process. INLAND EMPIRE,...
Education Insight: Insights From the Toward a Shared Vision Summit
About This Episode Season 3. Episode 11.In this episode of Education Insight, we delve into the highlights and key discussions of the recent Toward a Shared Vision Education...
Celebrating College Students on National First-Generation Day
Happy National First-Generation Day! Did you know that 57% of students at public postsecondary institutions in the Inland Empire are first-generation college students? It’s...
From Fear to Fluency: Empowering Minds in Math Education
About This Episode Season 3. Episode 10.In this compelling episode of Education Insight, we delve deep into the growing concern of math anxiety and its profound implications...
GIA Hosts 7th Annual Toward a Shared Vision Summit
Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) proudly hosted its 7th annual Toward a Shared Vision Summit at the Riverside Convention Center on October 25-26. With over 250 local leaders...
GIA Honors 12 Individuals and Groups at Its Regional Education Summit
Growing Inland Achievement (GIA), a local nonprofit, recognizes contributions to educational attainment and economic success in the Inland Empire at its "Toward a Shared...
2022-2023 Annual Report
We are pleased to share our 2022-2023 Annual Report, available to view below. This report is a testament to our collective efforts, highlighting the incredible achievements...
Education Insight: A Roadmap to Success: The Collective Impact Model
About This Episode Season 3. Episode 9.In this enlightening episode of Education Insight, we delve into the extraordinary world of collective impact and its profound...
Driving the Inland Empire Economy Through Education
“GIA’s annual Toward a Shared Vision Summit helps to foster learning and collaborative efforts that create equitable educational opportunities in the Inland Empire region,”...
our challenge & opportunity
The Inland Empire Region
Challenge: The Inland Empire is one of the most populous regions in California, with 4.5 million people, yet its students are less likely to earn college degrees than the average Californian. According to recent data from College Futures Foundation, for every 1,000 high school freshmen in the Inland Empire, only 151 will complete a BA degree. According to Data USA, the result of this is a regional poverty rate of 17.5%, and median household income of $56,087.
Opportunity: The projected workforce demand for Inland students with baccalaureate degrees will outweigh our labor supply by almost 2.3x in the next few years. Increasing the number of students with baccalaureate degrees is the solution. Increased degree attainment will benefit our students and regional businesses by filling the gap in projected bi-county workforce demand while increasing average household income.
The Inland Empire Region
The IE (4,622,361) represents 11.6% of the State’s population.
The IE is the nation’s 13th largest metropolitan area. If the IE were a state it would rank 25th in terms of population, just above Kentucky, and rank 40th in terms of area.
SB County alone is the largest county in the contiguous US, and is larger than New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware and Rhode Island combined.
Increasing our Educational Attainment
The IE produces 12% of California’s college-ready high school graduates…
BUT only 6% of the state’s BA degrees.
And even though the IE is 51% Hispanic, only 10% have a college degree. Both individuals and the labor market need more students earning postsecondary degrees and credentials to maintain regional economic success.
The Projected Labor Market Gap
In 2030, California is projected to face a labor market gap of nearly 1.8 million jobs.
Over 1/3 of the 2030 labor market gap is expected to be in three regions, Los Angeles (425k gap), Inland Empire (141k gap) and Central Valley (74k gap).
In the Inland Empire, 43% of the projected unfilled jobs will require a bachelor’s degree.
Working Together on Solutions
We recognize that the best way to close the labor market gap is by increasing the number of bachelor degree conferrals in the region. We also recognize that the most effective way to spur economic success in this way is by partnering with a network of regional and national leaders across sectors and industries to jointly work on solutions.
GIA acts as a connector, researcher, and facilitator to support a network of individuals and organizations who are driving educational success for Inland students. Some examples of GIA’s efforts to drive regional transformation can be seen in regional Action Network Teams, and the K-16 Regional Education Collaborative.
REGIONAL PILLARS OF SUCCESS
Increase educational attainment, with specific emphasis on accelerating success for historically marginalized student groups.
Foster an efficient, high-quality education system that creates equitable access for all students.
Build equitable structures in education to eradicate systemic racism.
Fuel a robust future economy that increases equitable career opportunities and employment.
Eliminate the chasms in wealth, income, and poverty rate which disproportionately affect people of color.