Increasing access to postsecondary educational programs and developing regional economies that capitalize on improved educational attainment requires broad-based collaborative efforts on both the local and national levels. That's why the University of Texas at El Paso and Opportunity Nation partnered to host events designed to develop and share these very ideas.

I spent most of my childhood desperately trying to escape the trailer park that I grew up in. Little did I know that 49 years later it would serve as the inspiration for my latest career move - an effort to help rebuild the American Dream for all Americans.

Opportunity Nation and the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) today joined forces to hold a multi-day conference designed to identify strategies that can help repair the national economic ladder of opportunity; build local communities of opportunity; and inspire more than 8,000 area students to recognize the importance higher education plays in allowing them to reach their American Dreams.

Opportunity Nation partnered with Wayne County Community College District to host a provocative event shining a light on the persistent and often unmentioned educational inequality that exists in today’s society.

Iowa on Thursday became the first state in the nation to proclaim a month in dedication of a national movement promoting economic mobility. Gov. Terry Branstad, who signed a proclamation designating February as “Opportunity in Iowa” month, used it as an opportunity to further stress the need for strong education and promote job creation across the state.

"A groundbreaking new survey called the Opportunity Index measures states’ and community access to the American Dream, and our Hawkeye State scored in the top quarter of states (13 out of 51, including the District of Columbia). Iowa’s success, along with our wealth of talented and dedicated state leaders, is being hailed as a national example by a new national movement called “Opportunity Nation.” Rob Denson, president of Des Moines Area Community College, and Barry Griswell, CEO of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, serve on the Leadership Council of Opportunity Nation."

In honor of the 2012 Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, Opportunity Nation and ServiceNation have joined together to highlight ways to increase economic opportunity in America through service. Dr. King worked for increased opportunity for all Americans. Now, more than ever, we need to work to create and support opportunities for Americans to strengthen economic security.

As the 2012 presidential campaign kicks off in earnest, nonprofits that focus on elections and hot political topics will be among those winning much of the attention in the new year. But so, too, will organizations that help those hurt by the global economic crisis and groups that themselves have suffered because of the turbulent economy.

Benjamin Franklin did it. Henry Ford did it. And American life is built on the faith that others can do it, too: rise from humble origins to economic heights.

Alabama ranks 47th in a new measure of opportunity for its residents, with counties in the Shoals scoring slightly higher than the state average in economics, education and community factors.