2017 AFC: Plenary Session
Channel: CTRLAmerican
Date: 2017-02-15

Anthony P. Carnevale (Research Professor and Director of the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce)

Higher education has become a crucial element in the historical bargain between democracy and capitalism in the 21st century. The current populist rebellion suggests that we need a new deal between capitalism and democracy. An expanded vision for higher education is a crucial part of the bargain. The dual role of higher education in serving both human flourishing and economic empowerment has also become one of the keystones in the social contract—the new deal—between democracy and capitalism. But there is not likely to be any "one size fits all" solution. Higher education must serve many masters at once.

Carol Geary Schneider (President Emerita of the Association of American Colleges and Universities)

More than is often acknowledged, higher education has already done the needed work to break free of the self-defeating opposition between "the true liberal arts" and strong preparation for the workplace. Hybrid models that blend liberal and career-related study are taking off. Moreover, there is abundant evidence that employers both seek and reward graduates who possess a full portfolio of big picture knowledge, work-related study, well-honed intellectual skills, civic, diversity, and ethical responsibilities, and the demonstrated ability to apply their learning to complex problems. How then do we move from islands of 21st century innovation to broadly embraced models for 21st century blended learning? How do we build the political will and alliances to resist narrow, blinkered, and illiberal learning for our students?