Higher education is not disappearing. It is adapting under pressure from technology, demographics, economics, and changing workforce expectations. It also creates value beyond workforce preparation by developing critical thinkers, informed citizens, stronger communities, and future leaders capable of solving complex challenges. For employers, educators, and regional leaders, the question is no longer whether higher education…
Companies are a key part of better higher education
When USC Upstate launched Industrial Engineering, they did so with two key goals – to provide students with better educational experiences, and to provide industry with better engineers. The program has been a resounding success not just because USC Upstate asked for industry support, but by embedding industry right into the program. Engineering, like many…
Higher Education’s Relevance (part 2)
If higher education’s relevance is being rewritten, what does that actually look like in practice? During a recent Upstate Talent Forum discussion, education and workforce leaders focused less on defending higher education and more on how institutions are adapting to meet changing workforce needs. Their examples revealed a common theme: the strongest education partners are…
CEOs’ Growing Concern About Shadow AI
The Anatomy of Shadow AI: Generative AI promises to enhance individual and organizational productivity, but with this promise comes unprecedented challenges for CEOs and CSOs. One of these challenges is Shadow AI, a subset of Shadow IT, which refers to the unsanctioned and unapproved use of AI tools by employees. Shadow AI is an umbrella…
Higher Education’s Relevance Is Being Rewritten, Not Replaced
Higher education is not disappearing. It is adapting under pressure from technology, demographics, economics, and changing workforce expectations. It also creates value beyond workforce preparation by developing critical thinkers, informed citizens, stronger communities, and future leaders capable of solving complex challenges. For employers, educators, and regional leaders, the question is no longer whether higher education…
Hiring Locally Versus Bringing in Talent
For leaders establishing a new location, or expanding an existing operation, few decisions are as consequential as choosing the right talent strategy. At the center of that strategy is a fundamental question: When should you hire locally, and when should you import talent from elsewhere? At a high level, hiring locally should be the default.…
The Talent Pipeline Problem
A point raised during the Upstate Talent Forum sparked an important conversation for educators and employers alike. Many jobs in today’s economy do not require a four-year degree to begin. But the reality is more complex. While entry into many roles may not require a degree, career growth increasingly depends on advanced skills such as problem solving,…
Demographic Drought Report by Lightcast
The Rising Storm: A Workforce at a Turning Point This report is produced by Lightcast The U.S. is entering a critical workforce shift driven by the retirement of the Baby Boomer generation and a shrinking pipeline of replacement workers. Over the next decade, millions will exit the labor force while participation rates decline, creating a…
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AUTHOR
Johnathan Hooks