Infographic of the Week: Higher Education

By: Ryan Tharp, Director of Research & Economic Development

In order to be successful in the workforce, it’s important to have the skills and education to meet the changing industry needs. North Texas offers more than 30 higher education options; including public and private universities, community colleges, and trade schools.

The State Legislature selected eight institutions to expand current research programs striving to achieve the distinguished “Tier One” research institution title. Three of the eight are housed in North Texas. “Tier One” institutions are nationally recognized for the highest levels of innovations and academic excellence. The North Texas institutions selected include the University of North Texas, the University of Texas at Dallas, and the University of Texas at Arlington. 

Education Outlook Breakfast Series: Aligning Education and the Texas Economy

Richard Froeschle, Director of the Labor Market and Career Information of the Texas Workforce Commission, visited the Dallas Regional Chamber this morning to speak at the Education Outlook Breakfast Series.

The event focused on aligning educational initiatives with the Texas and Dallas labor market. By examining numerous factors, including net job growth and available job openings in Texas, Froeschle presented a clear message about workforce trends.

The Engineering and IT-related labor market dominates when it comes to higher salary levels. In addition, technological transformations are displacing lower skilled and entry-level workers. Many companies are offloading work onto the customers by using technological modifications in retail spaces, such as airport ticketing and fast food kiosks. Another example is the use of 3D printing to create modular panels for construction of houses, greatly reducing construction time, cost and work.

Students and parents need a better understanding that the type of degree obtained does matter because it impacts lifetime earnings. Applied mathematics and other STEM degrees are in particularly high demand with high wages. Employers are looking for more than just a well-educated graduate. Good communication skills, technological knowledge, the ability to work with a diverse set of people, a can-do attitude and critical thinking skills are equally as important to a successful career.

Froeschle recommends schools and universities re-evaluate the types of programs that they offer. Froeschle offered 5 questions to reflect some of the ways in which programs have been evaluated in the past versus how they should be evaluated in the future:

Inertia- What programs have we always offered?
Student Interests- The “give ‘em what they want” approach. Which programs will work based the level of student engagement?
The Mass Media- What programs are trending in the news or ranked on a “Top 25” list?
Direct Employer Contact- What does business say?
Continuous Program Improvement– Where are we successful and how do we replicate that?
Labor Market Supply & Demand Analysis- What does the data tell us about regional job opportunities and employer skill needs, where are the gaps, and what do we need to do to close those gaps?

Froeschle is a published author on the subject of workforce. He has written four books: Where the Jobs Are, Connecting the Dots, Working Texas Style, and An Atmosphere of Enterprise.

Click here to view the full presentation.

Finish@UT: Full Online Degree Program Tailored to Meet Student Needs

By Fred Guerra, Director, Public Policy & Education

Finish@UT, launched in February 2012 by the University of Texas System, is a complete online, bachelor’s degree completion program for individuals who have already completed their core credit hours. The program offers several fully online bachelor’s degrees from accredited University of Texas System institutions: The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), The University of Texas at Brownsville (UTB), The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), and The University of Texas of the Permian Basin (UTPB).

Broad degree options and accelerated 7- to 15-week courses allow students to tailor the program to meet their individual interests and career goals. Although Finish@UT courses are academically rigorous and follow a specified calendar, the accelerated timeframe and online format offers students the flexibility to take courses during times and locations convenient for their own day to day lives. All Finish@UT courses are offered fully online and campus visits are not required.

Higher Education Luncheon Wrap-Up

By Lanet Greenhaw, Director, Education

Innovation and Higher Education keynote presenter Anthony Boccanfuso offered ideas on creating an innovation ecosystem to North Texas business and industry leaders during the annual education signature luncheon.

Dr. Boccanfuso, Executive Director of the University-Industry Demonstration Partnership (UIDP), described that successful collaborations between universities and industries requires involving key people and relationships, along with working differently than ever before.  He cited key collaboration principles as supporting the mission of each partner, fostering appropriate long-term relationships and streamlining negotiations.

Finally, he offered these suggestions for what the Dallas region should do to create and sustain university and industry collaborations:

Five Questions with Anthony Boccanfuso, Innovation and Higher Education Luncheon Speaker

By Lanet Greenhaw, Director, Education

Are you interested in understanding how a successful innovation ecosystem of university and industry collaborations can benefit our north Texas region?  Register now for the May 31 Innovation and Higher Education Luncheon: Partners for Growth at 12 noon at the Adolphus Hotel.  Exploring that topic will be featured speaker Anthony Boccanfuso, Executive Director of the University-Industry Demonstration Partnership.

I asked Boccanfuso to answer five questions to provide a sneak preview of what you will learn about at the annual education event.  It’s sure to be a thought-provoking session, so don’t miss it.

1. Explain the concept of the University-Industry Demonstration Partnership?

Proposition 3 on the November Ballot: Texans Asked to Expand Access to Student Loan Program

By Fred Guerra, Director of Public Policy & Education 

On Tuesday November 8, 2011, Texas voters will consider several state constitutional amendments which were passed by the Texas Legislature during the 82^nd Session.

Proposition 3 seeks voter approval for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to issue general obligation bonds to fund student loans. Approval of Proposition 3 will expand the capacity of the Coordinating Board to provide loans to more students.

Guest Blog: New State of Texas Initiative Embraced by North Texas Universities

By Cynthia Hall, Director, System and External Relations University of North Texas System & Randy Jolly, Associate Vice President-Marketing Texas A&M University-Commerce 

In 2010, the average weekly wage for workers without a college degree was $712.  Workers with a bachelor’s degree earned an average of $1,038.  That’s a difference of $17,000 a year!  Also, the unemployment rate for people with a bachelor’s degree is less than half what it is for those without one.

Grad TX is a new State of Texas program designed to give those adults who may have started college, earned some credit and had to quit before finishing, an incentive and assistance in many areas to return and earn their degree.

The University of North Texas (UNT), The University of North Texas Dallas (UNTD) and Texas A&M Commerce (TAMC) are three of eight Texas Universities offering the program to increase the number of college graduates in the State of Texas.

”Grad TX encourages adult learners to take the next steps in advancing their careers by completing a bachelor’s degree. While returning to the classroom after a long absence can be daunting, Grad TX provides for an easy transition. This program increases access to public higher education and raises the educational attainment rate of our city, region and state. With a higher level of education, graduates will experience increased earnings and a higher quality of life, and studies show those with college degrees are far more likely to remain employed during an economic downturn. Grad TX will help our citizens achieve prosperity, “said Dr. John Price, UNTD President.

At UNT, there are two degrees designed specifically with these transfer students in mind—the BAAS, in Public Affairs and the BAAS in the College of Information.  At UNTD, the BAAS is housed in Liberal Arts and Life Sciences. Academic advisors from each of the programs are available to work directly with prospective students.  Points of contact at each campus field inquiries from the website that is marketed to students who have stopped out of a Texas public university.  These POCs follow up individually with students to gather sufficient information to refer them to the appropriate degree program.  All Grad TX universities have counselors trained to stay with the student every step of the way, choosing the right classes, advising with financial aid, gauging the timeframe for graduation or just staying motivated.

Five years ago, John McRaney found himself out of work and homeless. He was the product of an unfinished education and an unforgiving world.

“I started college in the spring of 1974,” McRaney said. “I was working my way through school, and a construction company made me an offer I could not refuse. So I dropped out of college with no idea of what I wanted to do. I didn’t have a plan for my life and eventually found myself drifting aimlessly; I lived a pretty rough life.”

More than 30 years later, McRaney realized an education was the most likely way out of his current circumstances and started searching for a school willing to meet his unique needs as a non-traditional student.

He found that at Texas A&M University-Commerce.

McRaney learned about a unique degree completion program, the bachelor’s of applied arts and sciences (B.A.A.S.) degree.  While many universities required him to select a new degree plan and start his college career over, the A&M-Commerce bachelor’s of applied arts and sciences degree plan applied his previously earned credit hours to a new degree plan.  This option isn’t unique to McRaney. Many non-traditional students currently face similar career and life changes, and see a college degree as essential to move up or change their professional careers.

It is students like McRaney that spurred the creation of Grad TX and A&M-Commerce’s eager involvement with the program.

“For us, Grad TX is one more way for A&M-Commerce to extend its mission of helping deserving students reach their highest aspirations through education,” said Dr. Dan R. Jones, university president.  “A&M-Commerce is proud to be a part of this coordinated statewide effort to change the face of the future.”

The university recognizes the importance of educating adults who are heavily involved with their jobs and families but are intent on improving their lives with a college degree. A&M-Commerce has responded to these needs by developing high quality, affordable degree completion programs including the B.A.A.S. and a bachelor’s of general studies degree that can be completed quickly and online -all while maintaining a one-on-one approach with each incoming student.

For information on GradTx go to:
http://gradtx.org/
http://gradtx.org/university/unt
http://gradtx.org/university/taumc

Higher Education Luncheon Features Three Area University Presidents

By Lanet Greenhaw, Director of Education

Across Texas, many spirited conversations are underway about the future of higher education in our state. Here in Dallas, those center around the impact of budget cuts, the changing economy, the need for a diversified and well-educated workforce, and the concern that the DFW area is the only top 20 urban center in the US without a world-class research institution.