The Alabama Commission on Higher Education, or ACHE, announced Thursday that it has received a $700,000 grant from Lumina Foundation through the foundation’s Building Brands initiative.
According to ACHE workforce alignment data, more than 376,000 adult learners in Alabama have earned some college credit but have not completed a degree. ACHE said the grant will support a user-centered redesign effort aimed at reconnecting those individuals with educational and economic opportunities.
The Building Brands User-Centered Digital Design for Alabama project, led by ACHE, will develop an artificial intelligence-powered chat tool and expand online resources to help adult learners navigate re-enrollment and financial aid opportunities in partnership with Alabama’s public colleges and universities. The grant also supports a partnership with Alabama Possible to create a digital platform that simplifies the college admissions process for adults returning to higher education.
“This investment is a game changer for Alabamians who started college but have not yet crossed the finish line,” said Chandra Scott, executive director of Alabama Possible. “Through our partnership with the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, we are putting practical tools in place that meet adults where they are—making it easier to take that next step toward a degree and upward mobility.”
Connecting Adult Learners With Financial Resources
The Building Brands project builds on existing state efforts, including the ReEngage Alabama Grant Program established under Alabama Act 2023-539. The program provides financial assistance to adults returning to complete credential programs tied to Alabama’s high-demand workforce needs.
ACHE said the Lumina grant will expand access to financial resources by connecting adult learners with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, Pell Grants and the ReEngage Alabama Grant through a streamlined digital experience.
“ACHE’s mission is to ensure that higher education in Alabama serves every student, including the state’s adults who have earned some college credit but have yet to earn a credential,” said Jim Purcell, executive director of ACHE. “This grant will help strengthen Alabama’s ability to meet the workforce demands of our growing economy by building a durable, statewide infrastructure that connects returning adults to workforce-aligned programs with financial support needed to succeed.”
ACHE said the grant will support enrollment goals at Alabama’s higher education institutions while strengthening long-term economic mobility through expanded educational opportunities for adult learners.
“Alabama has made a strong commitment to adult learners through the Retain Alabama Initiative and the All in Alabama campaign,” said Stephanie Dolan, associate director of planning and policy at ACHE and project lead. “The project’s goal is to provide a seamless, learner-centered experience where adults can quickly view their options to take the next step toward completing a degree.”
