Chris Lowery, Indiana’s commissioner for higher education, answers a question from Clayton Whitson, president and CEO of the Madison County Chamber of Commerce, during a discussion at the Chamber’s annual State of the County luncheon Thursday at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. Andy Knight | The Herald Bulletin
Chris Lowery, Indiana’s commissioner for higher education, answers a question from Clayton Whitson, president and CEO of the Madison County Chamber of Commerce, during a discussion at the Chamber’s annual State of the County luncheon Thursday at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. Andy Knight | The Herald Bulletin
ANDERSON — Educational attainment is inextricably tied to a host of factors in the lives of students and workers that have direct bearings on the quality of life in the community, a state education official told an audience of business leaders Thursday.

Chris Lowery, Indiana’s commissioner for higher education, said post-secondary opportunities need to evolve to meet the needs of both students and their potential employers.

“Workforce (development) has been a recurring theme that we are hearing from the business community,” said Clayton Whitson, president and CEO of the Madison County Chamber of Commerce. “It’s about getting the right volume of people and getting people who are particularly qualified to fill some of the openings we have. Who better to talk about that than a member of Indiana’s workforce cabinet?”

Whitson said Lowery was the latest in a lineup of featured speakers from state and federal government at the annual State of the County luncheon, where local leaders provide updates on economic development activities throughout Madison County. The intent, according to Whitson, is to provide context on business and government initiatives outside the county and share why those activities matter to the local business community.

During a question-and-answer session with Whitson, Lowery cited a study that ranked Indiana eighth best in the nation in attracting students to attend college in the state, but 40th in retaining those students once they graduate.

He also mentioned that Indiana most recently ranked 11th nationwide in students completing their college education, but 28th in postsecondary attainment.

“We can do better, and we must do better” in retaining those college graduates, Lowery said. The state’s employers, including small businesses, have a role to play, he added.

“The way you volunteer, what you do through your place of employment, how you might encourage parents who work for you to come in for a night learning about college and career options for your teenager,” Lowery said. “Those are things you can do that are creative and are not really difficult to do, but they are absolutely life changing.”

Lowery, an Anderson native, said he accepted an invitation to speak at Thursday’s luncheon without consulting with his staff.

“I love coming to business chamber-oriented events,” he said. “I think these are events where people actually gather, like elected officials and employers. They kind of come into the room charged with thinking, we can do something to make a great community even better.”

Lowery’s keynote conversation with Whitson was preceded by representatives from Alexandria, Pendleton, Elwood, Anderson and the Madison County Commissioners, who each gave updates on a variety of economic development activities throughout the county.

“There are so many things going on in all the different areas of our community, that we wanted to highlight in one of our marquee events some ways to coordinate efforts,” Whitson said.

“We have different communities with different personalities, but there is so much positive momentum happening in all four corners of our county that we wanted to really provide a platform and a singular environment where everyone can share what is going on.”

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