Higher Education Needs to Offer Skill-Based Curricula — Here’s How.

I spend most of my days advising colleges and universities better achieve their goal of ensuring students succeed by seizing opportunities and navigating challenges. Two challenges are top of mind: Tackling the growing demand from parents and students to show the return on educational investment (ROEI) of degree-based programs and the profound impact artificial intelligence has on how we learn, teach, and work. 

Thankfully, I don’t have to ponder these issues alone. Many leaders in the space are facing these challenges head-on, and collectively, we are devising cutting-edge solutions.

At this year’s ASU+GSV Summit, I had the fantastic opportunity to explore such ideas with a group of higher education thought leaders* as moderator of the Bridging the Gap Between College Degrees and Workforce Skills panel.

Our discussion revolved around how to foster adaptable, lifelong learners with marketable skills and global perspectives. Here are my four takeaways on how higher education can integrate skill-based curricula:

Develop Students’ Soft Skills

The panel emphasized the importance of preparing students for long-term career success, not just their first job after graduation. Lifelong learning pathways and mindsets are critical. What stuck out for me was our conversation about the need to teach students soft skills like communication, problem-solving, and adaptability.

As AI increasingly automates and augments many tasks, the demand for human soft skills grows. Combining soft skills with lifelong learning mindsets helps college graduates remain competitive as industries evolve and currently unknown technologies emerge.

Embrace AI Skills

Artificial intelligence is reshaping (and reshaping and reshaping) the world of education and work, and colleges and universities know they must integrate AI into their curricula.

The panel highlighted the need to equip students for work environments where human-AI partnerships will be the norm. We discussed how faculty members need to become more comfortable teaching with AI, showing students, by example, what effective human-AI collaborations look like.

Another way to prepare students for these partnerships is to expand the teaching of AI technology beyond computer science. Colleges and universities should incorporate AI across disciplines. By doing so, students can more easily integrate “hard” technology skills with “soft” human skills and ensure that all learners are better prepared for the future of work.

Prove Skills with Credentialing

The panel had a lively discussion on how credentialing has become critical for graduate employability. Why? Employers are putting a high value on proven competency, not just GPA and course selections. Credentials give traditional degree offerings a practical punch.

Higher education can also meet employer demand by investing in flexible, affordable ways for students to gain job-ready expertise, such as paid internships and micro-credentialing. In doing so, universities and colleges can produce graduates who meet employers' demands, particularly in fields where tailored training is essential for success.

Expand Beyond Borders with Global Skills

The panel underscored the importance of international experiences like global campuses and virtual internships to help students develop the necessary skills to succeed in diverse, multicultural workplaces.

They emphasized the need for these programs to be accessible to students from all backgrounds. This access helps ensure all students have an opportunity to prepare for post-graduate success.

Gaining the ability to navigate global challenges with those closer to home prepares future graduates to become valuable, successful contributors in a rapidly changing world.

The Continuing Evolution of Higher Education

Higher education sits at a critical crossroads. It faces significant challenges driven by student and employer demands, technological advances, and continued globalization. However, I strongly believe it has the growth mindset and infrastructure to meet the moment. They are expanding what it means to get a “higher education” and help students meet their post-graduate futures ready to navigate an evolving and unpredictable world.

*Thank you to the amazing panelists who are leading the way in building skill-based curricula: Charles Iacovou, Dean of Professional Studies at Wake Forest University; Carol Kim, Vice President of Global Recruitment, Admissions & Financial Aid at New York University; Jamie Merisotis, President and CEO of the Lumina Foundation; and Daniel Nivern, CEO & Co-Founder of Virtual Internships.