AL State Rep. Jeremy Gray on Building the Support Systems for Student Success

The Student Success Stack is a new newsletter from EdSights focused on the policies, people, and ideas shaping student success in higher education. In this inaugural issue, Head of Public Affairs and Communications Jordan Stein sat down with Alabama State Representative Jeremy Gray to discuss the challenges students face today, what gives him optimism about this generation, and how state government and colleges can work together to better support them.

SST: As an elected representative, how do you view your role as it relates to supporting college or university students who may live or attend school in your community?

Rep. Gray: As an elected representative, I see my role as helping create an environment where students can not only access higher education, but also thrive while pursuing it. That means advocating for policies that strengthen affordability, workforce development, mental health access, and economic opportunity. In communities like mine, where higher education institutions serve as anchors for growth and innovation, supporting students also means ensuring they feel connected to the broader community and prepared for life beyond graduation.

SST: What challenges do you believe young people working through college or university degree programs face today?

Rep. Gray: Students today are balancing more than academics. Many are navigating financial pressure, housing insecurity, mental health challenges, family responsibilities, and uncertainty about what comes next after graduation. There is also the challenge of staying engaged in a fast-moving digital world where access to information is constant, but meaningful connection can sometimes feel limited. We have to recognize that student success is not just about getting into college—it’s about having the support systems to persist and finish.

"We have to recognize that student success is not just about getting into college—it’s about having the support systems to persist and finish."

SST: What gives you optimism about the future as it relates to students currently pursuing higher education?

Rep. Gray: What gives me optimism is the resilience, creativity, and adaptability of this generation. Students today are highly aware of the world around them, more entrepreneurial, and deeply interested in creating impact. I’ve seen young people who are not just preparing for jobs, but thinking critically about leadership, innovation, service, and solving real problems in their communities. If we invest in them well, they will absolutely shape a stronger future.

SST: How can state government leaders and colleges and universities work together to best support students?

Rep. Gray: The best outcomes happen when higher education and government work in partnership rather than in silos. That includes aligning education pathways with workforce needs, strengthening internship and apprenticeship opportunities, improving mental health resources, addressing affordability, and using data to identify where students may be struggling before they fall behind. We also need to listen directly to students because the people closest to the challenge often have the clearest solutions.

"We also need to listen directly to students because the people closest to the challenge often have the clearest solutions."

SST: Anything else you would like to share about your thoughts relating to students, technology’s role in supporting them, or otherwise as it relates to higher education?

Rep. Gray: Technology can be a powerful tool when used intentionally. It can help institutions better understand student needs, improve communication, and identify at-risk students earlier. But technology should enhance human connection—not replace it. At the center of higher education will always be relationships, mentorship, opportunity, and belonging. If we can combine innovation with intentional support, we can create systems that help students succeed academically, personally, and professionally.

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