From left to right: Dr. Jay Allen, Chairman of the Mississippi Education Achievement Council and President of Itawamba Community College; Jean Massey, Executive Director of Ascent to 55%; Jim McHale, President and CEO of the Woodward Hines Education Foundation; and Dr. Blake Thompson, 2024 Chair of the Mississippi Association of Colleges and Universities and President of Mississippi College.
The Mississippi Association of Colleges and Universities (MAC) and the Mississippi Economic Council (MEC) have awarded Jim McHale, President and CEO of the Woodward Hines Education Foundation (WHEF), the inaugural Champion Award for Ascent to Educational Attainment. The award was presented during the 2025 Ascent to 55% Convening, held in Jackson in October.
The new award was created to recognize leaders who demonstrate exceptional commitment, collaboration, and measurable impact toward increasing Mississippi’s postsecondary attainment. McHale was selected as the first recipient in recognition of his steadfast support for students, institutions, educators, and systems partners working to expand educational opportunity across the state.
“Jim’s leadership reflects the spirit of partnership that is essential to advancing Mississippi’s educational and economic future,” said Jean Massey, Executive Director of Ascent to 55%. “The Champion Award was designed to honor those who are moving the state forward in meaningful, measurable ways, and Jim embodies exactly that.”
The 2025 convening brought together leaders from higher education, K–12, workforce development, philanthropy, and the business community to review progress on Mississippi’s attainment goals and identify coordinated action steps for the future. Conversations centered on expanding career-aligned pathways, strengthening financial aid access, building stronger on-ramps for adult learners, and improving persistence and completion rates across the state’s colleges and universities.
McHale noted the award reflects the shared commitment of a wide range of organizations and individuals working toward the Ascent to 55% goal.
“This recognition represents the collective work happening across Mississippi to ensure every Mississippian has the opportunity to earn a credential that leads to a strong career,” McHale said. “The convening underscored the momentum we are building together. The next steps, deepening collaboration, enhancing supports for students, and scaling proven strategies, are essential to moving Mississippi closer to its future.”
About Ascent to 55% and the New Award
Ascent to 55% is Mississippi’s statewide attainment goal to increase the share of working-age adults with a postsecondary degree, certificate, or workforce credential to 55% by 2030 and 60% by 2035. The Mississippi Education Achievement Council endorsed this goal in 2020, and it is supported by organizations across the education, policy, and business communities, including MEC and WHEF.
As of January 2025, Mississippi’s attainment rate is 48.7%, compared to the national average of 54.9%. With 63% of jobs projected to require postsecondary education by 2030, increasing attainment is critical to Mississippi’s workforce readiness and economic competitiveness.
MAC and MEC established the Champion Award in 2025 to highlight individuals who demonstrate sustained leadership, foster statewide collaboration, and advance tangible progress toward the attainment goal. The award will be presented annually as part of ongoing Ascent to 55% efforts.