Purposeful Pathways: Who Needs College Anymore?
Join James Cryan, Founder & CEO of Willow Education, in conversation with education innovator and author Kathleen deLaski to explore the rapidly evolving landscape of postsecondary education and what it means for today's students.
With 85% of students from low-income households not completing college by age 24 and over $300 billion in debt held by those who didn't finish their degrees, it's clear we need new approaches to career preparation. Drawing from her groundbreaking, and provocative, new book "Who Needs College Anymore?", Kathleen will share insights from a decade of human-centered design research and 150+ interviews with educational experts, counselors, employers, and learners.
Join to Explore:
How white-collar apprenticeships, micro-credentials, and other alternative pathways are creating new routes to high-paying careers
Practical strategies for helping students evaluate and choose between college and professional pathways
The future of career preparation and what it means for students, schools, and counselors
Evidence-based approaches to ensure alternative pathways deliver strong economic outcomes
Who Should Attend:
Career, College, and Guidance Counselors
High School Leaders and Administrators
District Leadership Teams
College Access Nonprofit Leaders
Workforce Development Professionals
About Kathleen deLaski
Kathleen deLaski is an education innovator and workforce designer who founded the Education Design Lab in 2013. Under her leadership, the Lab has helped 1,200+ colleges and organizations design shorter, more affordable pathways for learners to achieve their economic goals. Kathleen is a Senior Advisor to the Harvard Project on Workforce, a former ABC News White House correspondent and the first female Pentagon spokesperson, Kathleen brings unique insights from her work at the intersection of education, policy, and workforce development. She has been named to Washingtonian Magazine's list of top policy influencers for three consecutive years (2022-2024).