SUSAN LANE, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

      Continuing higher education units frequently play a “first responder” role. It is the CE unit in a college or university that is often the first in an institution to develop cutting-edge curricula for emerging industries, to respond with programs that meet changing professional licensure requirements, or to address the education needs of place bound adults. How are national economic and workforce demands driving regional and local needs? What are the expectations of higher education institutions? Given our knowledge economy’s need for an expanded and highly skilled workforce, and taking into account demographic shifts, how can CE units best continue to be effective responders? How might continuing higher education Deans and Directors utilize their leadership talents as innovators and collaborators in responding to rapidly changing regional and state economies?

Presenter: PAUL LINGENFELTER, State Higher Education Executive Officers (SHEEO)
Respondents: SUSAN R. KINSEY, New York University; MARK NOVAK, San Jose State University

      The global information economy has raised “the bar” for higher education in the United States. National commissions, the Congress, governors, and state legislators all are pressing for more educational attainment and greater productivity in higher education. What are the implications of these forces for universities and continuing educators? What will greater attainment cost, and how might it be financed?