Staff Highlights

In an op-ed for IndustryWeek, APLU’s Shalin Jyotishi and Workcred’s Isabel Cardenas-Navia share how embedding certifications into a 4-year degree can address the skills gap in manufacturing, while promoting life-long learning. Read the full op-ed here. 

As part of the 2019 Vision 20/20 Conference, APLU’s Shalin Jyotishi joined fellow panelists Debbie Hughes, Senior Advisor, Walmart; David Pang, Partner, Advisory Market Leader, Washington DC Metro Area at KPMG US; and Tony Scardino, Managing Principal at Grant Thornton Public Sector for a discussion around the Future of Work and trends in workforce preparedness. The conference was held at the World Bank and organized by Leadership ASCEND, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the World Economic Forum Global Shapers.

The article entitled, How Universities are Addressing the "False Choice" Between Education and Employment Readiness of Students, highlighted three critical strategies APLU member institutions are leveraging to strengthen student workforce and employability outcomes. The article also highlighted case studies of the three strategies being deployed at APLU member institutions. 

Julia Michaels, Deputy Executive Director of the APLU Center for Public University Transformation, presented on how universities participating in APLU’s Powered by Publics are advancing college access, equity, and completion at College Completion Summit on October 1.

Jyotishi spoke at and co-led a workshop at the 2019 Annual Summit of the University Economic Development Association. The workshop brought together economic development leaders from colleges and universities for a dialogue around fortifying university-MEP partnerships to transition new technologies and innovation to America’s small and medium-sized manufacturers. Learn more at www.APLU.org/MEP

Sheila Martin, APLU’s Vice President for Economic Development and Community Engagement, spoke on a panel examining the importance of research that measures and communicates universities’ impact on society. The session took place September 26 at the Institute for Research on Innovation and Science Summit. Martin’s remarks explored the value of undergraduate research experience for student success; tracking graduate workforce outcomes, and the impact of universities on the development of new industries.

As part of a two-day cross state meeting themed: Educate for Opportunity, the panel focused on a partnership on coordinating higher education institutions and credentialing bodies to bolster student success and career outcomes as we prepare for the future of work. Andrea shared examples of innovations APLU/USU member institutions are doing around the future of work and shared ways states can collaborate with higher education institutions to connect traditional academic pathways.

At a workshop organized by Rutgers University graduate students hosted at the American Association for the Advancement of Science, APLU’s Shalin Jyotishi spoke on a panel addressing the role of boundary organizations, associations, and professional societies for fostering public and policy engagement. He focused on the importance of engaging with local communities and leveraging economic and community engagement officers as resources for outreach.