From left to right: Daniela Perry, Executive Director of the Georgia Chamber Foundation; Commissioner Greg Dozier, Technical College System of Georgia; Jenna Colvin, President of the Georgia Independent College Association; and Chancellor Sonny Perdue, University System of Georgia.

Yesterday, the Georgia Chamber, in conjunction with the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, hosted the 2026 State of Higher Education at Georgia Institute of Technology. 

The event marked the first program of the year in the Georgia Chamber’s annual “State of” series, convening business leaders, higher education officials, and policymakers to discuss the critical role colleges and universities play in strengthening Georgia’s workforce pipeline and economic competitiveness. 

The 2026 State of Higher Education focused on aligning academic programs with high-demand careers, expanding access and affordability, and ensuring Georgia remains a national leader in talent development. As the state continues to experience record economic growth and population expansion, speakers emphasized the importance of collaboration between higher education institutions and the business community. 

Featured speakers included Chancellor Sonny Perdue, University System of Georgia; Commissioner Greg Dozier, Technical College System of Georgia; and Jenna Colvin, President of the Georgia Independent College Association. 

Ángel Cabrera, president of the Georgia Institute of Technology, said:

“Everything we do, we ask ourselves: How is this going to impact the well-being of our state? ... Universities are delivering what the state needs. We work constantly with Georgia’s businesses to ensure that what we teach is relevant to the workforce, and we are deeply grateful for the support of the legislature, the governor, the Georgia Chamber, and the business community.” 

Daniela Perry, Executive Director of the Georgia Chamber Foundation said:  

“Georgia businesses are leveraging meaningful partnerships with higher education institutions more than ever before, ranging from specific training programs to collaborating on associate and bachelor’s degrees. Our program today highlighted the intentional, innovative, and impactful practices being implemented at our public and private colleges and universities to build resilient, confident lifelong-learners. This work is invaluable to maintaining our competitiveness and securing Georgia as the top state for talent.”  

Dana Rickman, President and CEO, Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education said: 

“Many businesses assume they can’t influence the education pipeline, but to make a real impact in our state, you need to expand your definitions of career pathways and work together around a common message. Ask yourself: How can you and your community align on a shared goal? How are you partnering locally to identify and develop talent? How can we align and leverage the efforts of others to strengthen this process? By taking action together, we can build a stronger pipeline and a brighter future for our workforce.”  

The program also included a forward-looking discussion on the future challenges and opportunities facing Georgia’s postsecondary institutions, moderated by Perry. Panelists emphasized the importance of collaboration between higher education and the business community to ensure students are prepared for high-demand careers in an evolving economy.

While Georgia’s economy continues to grow, the Georgia Chamber will remain focused on advancing policies and partnerships that connect education to opportunity and strengthen the state’s workforce for generations to come. 

For more information about the Georgia Chamber and upcoming events, visit www.gachamber.com.