Brenda Brooks dropped out of college 40 years ago. Federal rules mean she can’t afford to go back.
Lately, Englewood native Brenda Brooks has had a tough time finding work. The 60-year-old has decades of experience at CVS and the historic Regal Theater in Avalon Park. But recently, prospective employers have told her, “ ‘You have the qualifications...
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Our news, editorial, and analysis on federal policy surrounding higher education’s most pressing issues.
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Workforce Development in 2019: U.S. Policy and Practice
Source: Training Industry
In an interview with Training Industry, Emily Bouck West argues that stakeholders and policymakers should work to build stronger linkages between the higher education and workforce systems.
Higher Education Act Recommendations
Higher Learning Advocates is working to shift federal policy from higher education to higher learning—education and training beyond high school that leads to a degree, credential, or employment. While more students are participating in higher education than ever before, there is a vast and growing disconnect between federal policy and the needs o...
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College students of the future could get their career prep from private companies, not universities
Julie Peller was quoted in Market Watch where she argued that the current higher education system is not designed to reflect the demographics of today’s college students.
What Do Businesses Want? The Same Things Individuals Do
What does human capital strategy mean? The answer seems to differ, depending on who you ask. Ask local elected officials, and the answer will likely involve their plans for K-12 schools or community colleges. Ask economic development leaders, and they might discuss their strategy to attract more jobs to their region. Ask an employer, and…
Honda’s Approach to Bridging the Gap Between Technical Education and Workforce in Ohio
Growing up, Scot McLemore developed an interest in technology, innovation, and inventions, which led him to study Engineering Technology at Purdue University and then on to a 28-year career at Honda Motor Company. Scot was the first in his immediate family to attend college and when met with the challenge of finding his own pathway,…
Getting Higher Education in Sync with Workforce: A Q&A with Steve Partridge, Vice President of Workforce and Economic Development at NOVA
Serving one of the fastest growing communities of the Washington, D.C. suburbs, Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) has faced the challenge of helping local communities prepare for an influx of new jobs in health care, information technology, and cybersecurity. As the vice president for workforce and economic development, Steve Partridge has...
How Employers Can Foster Lifelong Learning: A Q&A with Kimo Kippen, Aloha Learning Advisors
Originally from Hawaii, Kimo Kippen rose through the ranks of the hospitality industry, beginning as a busboy to a corporate learning executive for the world’s largest hospitality companies. Because of that experience, he also understands that the backbone of every business–no matter how big or small–is its employees. For the past 20 ...
My Higher Education Story
In September 2017, I graduated from The College of Health Care Professions (CHCP) with a bachelor’s degree in Health Informatics. Though I had completed the program online, I drove nearly 200 miles from my home in San Antonio, Texas, to the graduation ceremony in Houston. That might seem like a lengthy drive, but it was…
Employers are a critical piece of higher education reform
Companies are finding it difficult to fill open positions, saying they simply can’t find workers with the right qualifications. The half-life of skills continues to shrink, with many technical skills losing their usefulness after just five years. According to the Pew Research Center, more than half of all working adults now say it is necessary&he...
The Student Success Movement’s Next Push: Career Services: A Q&A with Bridget Burns, Executive Director, University Innovation Alliance
Earlier this month, the University Innovation Alliance announced its next scale project, with a cohort of seven institutions teaming up to close the gap between college and the workforce. This next scale initiative, which received $2.4 million in funding from Strada Education Network, will involve career services professionals developing innovative...
Press
College Completion Rates Are Up, But The Numbers Will Still Surprise You
Source: NPR
Julie Peller was quoted in an NPR segment on college completion, where she argued that today’s students need to not only complete, but also see an economic return on their postsecondary degree or credential.
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5 ideas for change in higher ed from SXSW EDU
Source: Education Dive
Julie Peller participated in a panel at SXSW EDU where she discussed why it is critical for policymakers and institutions of higher education to better understand the evolving needs of today’s students.