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:

Hosts

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Goldie Blumenstyk

Senior Writer,
The Chronicle of Higher Education

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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

Panelists

Ian Wilhelm

Assistant Managing Editor,
The Chronicle of Higher Education

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Jennifer Baszile

Assistant Vice Chancellor for Career Success,
University of California at Santa Cruz

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Carol Quillen

President,
Davidson College

Natasha Stough

Americas Director, Campus Recruiting, Ernst & Young  LLP

Todd Taylor

An Adobe Pedagogical Evangelist and the Eliason Distinguished Professor of English at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Melissa Vito

Interim Vice Provost of Academic Innovation,
The University of Texas at San Antonio