MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Student leaders from across Alabama’s public universities are working to convince more graduates to build their careers in the state, telling lawmakers that stronger connections to jobs and quality of life could help reverse the trend of young talent leaving after college.
Members of the Student Retention Council, a group housed within the Alabama Higher Education Partnership, met with lawmakers recently to share their efforts to raise awareness about career opportunities and lifestyle advantages across the state.
The council was launched in 2022 after research showed many students were open to working in Alabama after graduation, but far fewer were certain they would stay. It includes one student representative from each of the state’s 14 public universities, selected by campus leadership.
Gordon Stone, with the Higher Education Partnership, said the goal is to bring student leaders together to better understand their experiences and connect them with opportunities across Alabama.
“We are bringing our student leaders together to talk about not only what they are currently experiencing on campus, but what that means to the state of Alabama and the opportunities the state has for them and their peers when it comes to choosing their place of employment or their next step after college,” Stone said.
Students told lawmakers their work focuses on several factors that influence whether graduates remain in the state, including workforce opportunities, outdoor recreation and overall quality of life.
Jacksonville State University senior Jonathan Duncan said one of the biggest challenges is awareness, noting that many students are not fully aware of existing programs and career pathways.
“There are a ton of programs connecting students to opportunities across the state, and they are already doing fantastic things,” Duncan said. “So learning about those has probably been the biggest takeaway for me.”
Council members say they are working to close that gap by engaging directly with students and connecting them with internships, employers and community leaders.
University of South Alabama student KC Crusoe said affordability and lifestyle also play a major role in whether students choose to stay.
“My message to my peers is to choose Alabama,” Crusoe said. “We have some of the best resources and one of the best cost of living in the country.”
He added that students should take advantage of opportunities already available within the state rather than looking elsewhere.
“There is no need to leave and give your talent to another state when you can do those same things right here,” Crusoe said.
Students also emphasized the importance of continued support from state leaders, saying investments in workforce development and innovation will be key to keeping more graduates in Alabama.
“This project is important,” Duncan said. “It has been important, and it is going to continue to be important in the future.”
Stone said the long-term impact goes beyond individual students, pointing to the role higher education plays in the state’s economy.
“It is a tremendous opportunity for our state to continue strengthening its economic future,” he said.
The Student Retention Council grew out of the broader Retain Alabama effort, which began after studies found only about half of bachelor’s degree recipients were working in the state five years after graduation, while many others remained undecided about where to begin their careers.
State leaders say improving awareness of opportunities, along with continued investment, could help ensure more graduates choose to stay and build their futures in Alabama.
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