“Preparation for the Workplace: The Changing Role of Higher Education” - Program Overview
This page provides an overview of the online event series schedule and program. Times below are Eastern time.
For details about all episodes, including speaker information and abstracts, click on a link below.
Program Overview
Episode 1
The Current State of Higher Education and Workforce Preparation
Friday, February 7th, 2025
9:30 AM - 9:45 AM - Event Series Introduction - Dr. David Guralnick, Kaleidoscope Learning
9:45 AM - 10:30 AM - Panel Discussion: "The Employer Perspective: Skills, Gaps, and Expectations”
Panelists: Jeremy Boles, Kentucky Farm Bureau; Junghwa (“Sam”) Lee, Microsoft, Worldwide Learning Lab; and Stella Porto, Inter-American Development Bank
10:30 AM - 10:45 AM - Break
10:45 AM - 11:30 AM - “Bridging the Gap: Faculty Hesitancy and the Workforce Imperative of Online Learning” - Ariel Fleurimond, Columbia University School of Professional Studies
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM - Discussion Session
12:30 PM - End of Episode 1
Episode 2
Friday, February 14th, 2025
Alternative Education Paths for Workplace Preparation and Advancement
9:30 AM - 9:45 AM - Episode 2 Opening - Dr. David Guralnick, Kaleidoscope Learning
9:45 AM - 10:30 AM - “The NRF Foundation’s RISE Up Program - Delivering Retail Industry-Recognized Credentials” - Kate Fessler, NRF (National Retail Federation) Foundation and Dr. David Guralnick, Kaleidoscope Learning
10:30 AM - 10:45 AM - Break
10:45 AM - 11:30 AM - “Disruptor and Enabler: Preparing Learners for AI Transformation” - Dr. Alexandra Urban, Coursera
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM - Discussion Session
12:30 PM - End of Episode 2
Episode 3
Workforce Preparation and Student Career Paths
Friday, February 21st, 2025
9:30 AM - 9:45 AM - Episode 3 Opening - Dr. David Guralnick, Kaleidoscope Learning
9:45 AM - 10:30 AM - Panel Discussion: “The Employee Perspective: Learning, Careers, and Goals”
Panelists: Agalia Ardyasa, Microsoft; Jie Chen, Amazon; and Michael Russo, ENSCO Avionics
10:30 AM - 10:45 AM - Break
10:45 AM - 11:30 AM - Panel Discussion: “Connecting Students with Career Paths”
Panelists: Rosie Shen, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Genevieve Thévenin, TC NEXT, Teachers College, Columbia University
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM - Discussion Session
12:30 PM - End of Episode 3
Episode 4
Skills for the Future Workforce
Friday, February 28th, 2025
9:30 AM - 9:45 AM - Episode 4 Opening - Dr. David Guralnick, Kaleidoscope Learning
9:45 AM - 10:30 AM - Skills for the Future Workforce - Dr. Lydia Liu, ETS
10:30 AM - 10:45 AM - Break
10:45 AM - 11:30 AM - “Taking on Almost Impossible Problems” - Dr. Zachary Herrmann, University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM - Discussion Session
12:30 PM - End of Event