Source: Taryn Crayton, Vice President
It was an early morning as Jerome Manly, Executive Director of Early College and Workforce Development at Commonwealth University, and I headed to Rock Lititz for the PA Chamber Higher Education Summit. Before attending, my perception of higher education was probably similar to what many people hear in the news: college is expensive, enrollment is changing, and institutions are facing significant challenges. But the summit offered a much broader perspective on the role higher education plays in Pennsylvania’s workforce future.
One of the strongest messages throughout the day was that preparing the next generation of talent cannot be the responsibility of colleges and universities alone. Business leaders, educators, and policymakers all have a role to play in building the workforce Pennsylvania needs. The summit focused on strengthening the connection between employers and higher education institutions so that academic programs align with real workforce needs, students gain meaningful experiences, and businesses have a voice in shaping the talent pipeline…