Topic: economic competitiveness & workforce development
Beyond the Culture Wars: The Real Story of State Policy and College Campuses
As the national debate on higher education heats up, state lawmakers are emerging as key players. But beyond the headlines, there’s a growing opportunity for collaboration and bipartisan initiatives that strengthen communities and expand educational access. ACE’s Heidi Tseu and Katharine Meyer of Brookings look at the real impact of state policies on college campuses today, from student support and institutional mission to workforce development.
Why Higher Education Is Still Our Country’s Greatest Defense
Given all the changes in the past century, how can the higher education community leverage its strengths to do an even better job of contributing to national security? Michele Spires discusses how workforce development transcends mere job training—and why it’s so crucial now.
Working Learners and Work Colleges: Innovating at the Intersection of Education and Life
For 72 million American workers without a college degree, blending education, work, and life can unlock high-paying jobs in the knowledge economy. Louis Soares and Vickie Choitz explore how “work colleges” offer a template for supporting these learners.
Bringing Jobs and Workers Together in the New Skills Economy
Bridging the disconnect between learners and employers requires a new approach to help open opportunities for people who have historically been underserved by the current system. Can blockchain help fill these gaps?
Learner Records: If You Build It, Will They Use It?
There’s promising evidence that easier connections across higher education and work—especially innovations that allow learners to completely unbundle education—can improve economic mobility and equity in outcomes.
Rethinking Community College Workforce Education: Eliminating the Dead End
When it comes to transfer, mobility, and equity, do traditional community college pathways hinder a student’s prospects? Mark M. D’Amico looks at what we can do to get around the hurdles.
Entrepreneurial Mindset as a Marketable Skill
Austin Community College wants its students to develop an entrepreneurial mindset as a marketable skill, regardless of their program of choice. ACC Provost Charles M. Cook discusses how the college makes that happen in a new post from the Association of Chief Academic Officers.
New Tuition Model at Hiram College Offers Educational, Career, and Financial Benefits
Calls for U.S. colleges and universities to develop more relevant curricula, pave the college-to-career pathway, and offer affordable degrees are growing in strength and number. President Lori Varlotta discusses the latest innovations at Hiram College to respond to these needs.
George Mason’s New Digital Technology Certification Is Preparing Today’s Grads for Tomorrow’s Economy
The new digital technology credit at George Mason University, designed with detailed guidance from several major business in the Washington area, helps ensure that graduates will have skills and extensive knowledge in fields like statistics, data visualization, and cybersecurity.
Urban Higher Education and Civic Engagement
Presidents and chancellors of urban institutions are forging local partnerships—refuting the idea that the work of colleges and universities is cut off from the larger world.
A Dream Pursued, A Dream Fulfilled: How a College Degree Can Transform Lives
As College Signing Day approaches, we cheer on the high school students who have decided to immediately continue on to college. And we also celebrate the millions of adults joining them, whose lives have taken various paths since graduating high school.
Cuyahoga Community College Brings Class on Wheels to Working Professionals
Cuyahoga Community College, also known as Tri-C, is increasing workers’ access to skills training throughout Northeast Ohio’s manufacturing sector by bringing a mobile classroom directly to the workplace.