“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.

Episode 1 - Feb. 7th | Episode 2 - Feb. 14th | Episode 3 - Feb. 21st | Episode 4 - Feb. 28th

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, InterAmerican 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, National Retail Federation (NRF) 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
Additional panelists to be announced soon!

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 - Future Skills - Details to be announced soon!

10:30 AM - 10:45 AM - Break

10:45 AM - 11:30 AM - Event Series Closing - Dr. David Guralnick, Kaleidoscope Learning

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM - Discussion Session

12:30 PM - End of Event