Chronicle Events Landing Page

This virtual forum occurred on Wednesday, May 27. Watch the on-demand video and see the panelists examine the disconnect between the lessons higher ed teaches and the skills employers need, and how colleges can bridge that gap. Hosts include Goldie Blumenstyk, a Chronicle senior writer, Jeff Selingo, a New York Times best-selling author, and Sebastian Distefano, Adobe's global manager of strategic development. The discussion focuses on the intersection of soft skills and digital literacy in an environment that is increasingly remote and digital.

Here are a few resources mentioned from the event:

Watch the forum on demand and download the program guide.
View the forum's poll results and access the slides presented by Jeff Selingo.
Sign up to receive the insights report, Expanding the Digital Curriculum, to learn how colleges are preparing students with the skills required for the evolving modern workplace.
Sign up to receive Goldie Blumenstyk’s weekly newsletter on innovation, The Edge.

Hosts

Goldie Blumenstyk

Senior Writer,
The Chronicle of Higher Education

Jeff Selingo

Washington Post Columnist, New York Times Best Selling Author and Higher Education Expert

Sebastian Distefano

Global Manager of Strategic Development, Higher Education, Adobe

Agenda

Opening remarks
Ian Wilhelm and Sebastian Distefano

A National Challenge
Higher-education expert and author Jeffrey J. Selingo will open the summit by offering a big-picture view of the need for better soft-skills education. He’ll examine the frequent disconnect between what colleges teach and employers seek and emphasize why bridging the gap is key to the future of higher ed — and the country.

The Impetus for Innovation
Jeff Selingo discusses with Carol Quillen, a leader of a top liberal-arts college, about how she's made soft skills an integral part of what students learn.

The New Skills for the 21st-Century Workplace
Ian Wilhelm will discuss with Todd Taylor and Melissa Vito about how soft skills are evolving in a work environment that is increasingly remote and digital.

Bridging the Divide
Goldie Blumenstyk talks with Natasha Stough and Jennifer Baszile about how employers and colleges can work better together to identify and develop the skills graduates need for the modern workforce.

Closing remarks and Q & A

Ian Wilhelm and Sebastian Distefano