There was a time in the last century when America led the world in education. The United States was the pinnacle of education in the world. We harbored the most college graduates, had the highest scores, and led the world in producing a great generation of engineers, doctors, teacher, lawyers, and visionaries that would shape the world we see today.

Today is a different story. Many see today’s generation and label them as lazy and unwilling to answer the same call to action that their grandparents and parents answered. To many, today’s society is slowing deteriorating thanks in large part to the students that inhabit our high schools and college campuses.

Since President Obama has entered office, he’s made education a top priority. College especially has been a prime focus, with the President and First Lady often speaking from personal experience. In the past, the Obama administration has dealt with the opportunity gap of students, and back in his first term, introduced reform to student loans.

This past week, President Obama began a daring new initiative: America will once again lead the world in college graduates by 2020. The administration has coined the goal as their North Star, and is beginning to take steps along with schools and students to get more of America’s youth through college. First Lady Michelle Obama commented saying, “There is nothing more important to this nation’s future then investing in our young people, and education is at the top of the priority list.”

Last week, more than 100 universities and 40 education based organizations answered the White House’s call to action and presented over 100 commitments from the organizations to expand college opportunities to students all across the nation.

Several plans and proposals were brought to the table, including increased economic support for struggling schools, bigger scholarships funds, and more college prep programs that promise to put all students on a level playing field.

Also helping lead the efforts were schools right here in Nebraska. Nebraska Wesleyan and the University of Nebraska (Lincoln, Omaha, Kearney) have put forth ideas to help Nebraska students achieve the dream of going to college.

For Wesleyan, they are finding a creative way to help lure kids into the teaching profession by crafting what they are calling a “2-2-2 program” which will follow students from the last two years of high school to two years in associate degree program then finally two years in a bachelor’s degree program. Wesleyan sees the program as unique opportunity to help more low-income, more diverse students turn into teachers. In partnership with local schools and community colleges, the program hopes to “establish a pipeline of students from diverse backgrounds to the teaching profession.”

The University of Nebraska has pledged to focus more on dual-credit, AP, and STEM courses, while also providing “foundational offerings” to middle school students. The university also plans to further participation in their summer scholars programs, which are intended to expose college life to mostly low-income students and first-generation college attendees. Lastly, the college will participate in the American College Application Campaign, a national movement to help woo first-generation students to college and obtain a degree.

For America, our greatest triumphs have often come from the pure brilliance of our minds and the ingenuity of our people. It is our students and scholars that help move this nation forward, continually envisioning, engineering, and imaging the endless possibilities. Education is how we produce these great minds and the Obama administration believes by introducing this daring goal, action will begin to take place, spurring the dreams of many who’s dreams have normally been deferred.

The plan by many is considered overly bold, yet the First Lady answers with equally bold response, saying, “We don’t have a choice, we have to reach that North Star.”

To learn about the promises made by colleges across the country click here, and also check out the video by The White House.