Join/Renew
%20has%20moved%20from%20a%20%22nice-to-have%22%20to%20a%20strategic%20imperative.%20However,%20scaling%20these%20experiences%20requires%20more%20than%20just%20intent;%20it%20requires%20a%20coordinated%20program,%20an%20agile%20platform,%20and%20engaged%20faculty.%20Join%20Elliot%20Felix%20and%20a%20panel%20of%20experts%20from%20Arizona%20State%20University,%20the%20University%20of%20Minnesota,%20and%20Riipen%20to%20explore%20WIL%20through%20four%20critical%20lenses:%20the%20national%20landscape,%20institutional%20programming,%20technological%20platforms,%20and%20faculty%20integration.%20Participants%20will%20gain%20actionable%20strategies%20to%20overcome%20systemic%20barriers,%20leverage%20technology%20for%20scale,%20and%20empower%20faculty%20to%20embed%20experiential%20learning%20into%20the%20curriculum.)
%20has%20moved%20from%20a%20%22nice-to-have%22%20to%20a%20strategic%20imperative.%20However,%20scaling%20these%20experiences%20requires%20more%20than%20just%20intent;%20it%20requires%20a%20coordinated%20program,%20an%20agile%20platform,%20and%20engaged%20faculty.%20Join%20Elliot%20Felix%20and%20a%20panel%20of%20experts%20from%20Arizona%20State%20University,%20the%20University%20of%20Minnesota,%20and%20Riipen%20to%20explore%20WIL%20through%20four%20critical%20lenses:%20the%20national%20landscape,%20institutional%20programming,%20technological%20platforms,%20and%20faculty%20integration.%20Participants%20will%20gain%20actionable%20strategies%20to%20overcome%20systemic%20barriers,%20leverage%20technology%20for%20scale,%20and%20empower%20faculty%20to%20embed%20experiential%20learning%20into%20the%20curriculum.)
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Summary
The "readiness gap" remains a primary concern for both higher education leaders and employers. While Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) is a proven solution for improving student outcomes and economic mobility, many institutions struggle to move beyond ad hoc, isolated, "boutique" programs to reach every student.
This session provides a 360-degree view of the WIL ecosystem. Moderator Elliot Felix will set the stage sharing insights from The Connected College on the state of career development and the shift toward work integrated learning models. Then he will facilitate a discussion connecting the program, platform, and faculty perspectives. The discussion will spotlight success stories, identify the changes which enabled these successes, predictions on the future, and ideas to adapt.
Brandee Popaden-Smith (ASU) will share how a large-scale institution manages the logistical and philosophical shifts of program-level WIL. Dana Stephenson (Riipen) will show how platform-based solutions bridge the gap between classroom projects and real-world employer needs. Finally, Ibanga Umanah (University of Minnesota) provides the essential faculty perspective, sharing his experience engaging students in class projects that impact local communities while building students' skills, knowledge, and relationships.
Through the discussion, participants will answer questions such as: What are the primary systemic barriers to scaling WIL, and how are leading institutions overcoming them? How can technology platforms ensure equitable access to experiential learning for students and small businesses? In what ways can career services partner with faculty to "infuse" career readiness into the academic core without increasing faculty burnout? What role does WIL play in the transition to a skills-first labor market?
Session outline
- The Big Picture: Trends in WIL and the "Connected College" framework.
- Success Stories: Institutional examples of high-impact WIL at scale.
- The "Success Enablers": What institutional, cultural, and technical changes were required to make these programs work?
- The Future of WIL: Predictions on the future of WIL including AI integration and skill-based hiring.
- Advice on adapting: Tactical advice for institutions of different sizes and resource level to adapt to these changes.
Following this program, you will be able to:
- Analyze the "success enablers" required to transition from small-scale pilots to institution-wide experiential learning initiatives.
- Explore potential changes and challenges to WIL in the future such as AI integration and skill-based hiring.
- Evaluate the role of technology platforms in streamlining employer-student connections and ensuring equitable access to professional experiences.
- Develop strategies to engage and support faculty in embedding project-based learning and career competencies directly into the course curriculum.
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Event Details
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Format
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Presenters
