In this panel, five staff and faculty members from across USA's campus will discuss their LevelUP projects, which help students broaden, identify, and articulate skill sets that they are developing beyond the classroom. Competencies that students gain during activities outside of coursework, such as internships, on-campus employment, and study abroad, as well as across disciplines, such as informational literacy and cross-cultural communication, are challenging to define and express. Drawing on their experiences as instructors, advisors, supervisors, and mentors, the panelists will provide examples of how we can assist students in preparing for the next steps in their academic and professional journeys into our hybrid future. Panel attendees will leave with sample assignments, assessments, and conversation starters to use with students and help students make connections between their studies and varied experiences.
This fast-paced, “Pecha Kucha” style session explores how disruptive technologies like Generative AI and Open Educational Resources (OER) can enhance transparency, accessibility, and career readiness. Aligned with the conference theme Preparing for a Hybrid Future, our presentation examines macro- to micro-level interventions that equip students with essential workforce skills. Presenters will showcase LevelUP projects, including classroom strategies, lab assignment models, and OER resources to emphasize how student feedback can be used to drive instructional change and align learning with NACE competencies.To promote engagement, attendees will interact with LevelUP participants through a live Q&A and collaborative Padlet activities. By the session’s end, participants will gain practical tools to integrate AI and OER in their own classrooms, fostering student success in an evolving professional landscape.
Community College’s efforts to accelerate the connection of young people with career pathways in Career and Technical Education are underutilized. Across the country, educational systems are partnering with the private sector and community partners to create sophisticated, career-connected learning experiences. Learners are increasingly exposed to the world of work and potential careers. One option often conspicuously absents in this rush to bolster career and technical education pathways is apprenticeships. It’s a missed opportunity, especially amid efforts to diversify the workforce, creating interest in technical education and securing retention for both the employer and the educational institution. Apprenticeships work!
