AI-Driven Future: Transforming Education for Tomorrow’s Workforce

AI-Driven Future: Transforming Education for Tomorrow’s Workforce

by | Nov 11, 2024 | Innovation, Underserved Communities, Working Learners

By Madeline Pumariega, Miami Dade College

We are living in a world where Artificial Intelligence is profoundly influencing every aspect of our daily lives—from how we work to how we learn. As the greatest technological revolution of our time continues to unfold at an unprecedented pace, Miami Dade College is harnessing the transformative power of AI to reshape education and prepare the workforce of tomorrow through pioneering associate and bachelor’s programs that are making a significant impact in our community and beyond. Now recognized as the AI engine of Miami and a national leader, we are dedicated to continue achieving transformative results while supporting other colleges in their efforts to reshape education and cultivate skilled talent ready to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Stackable Credential Pathway Strengthens Talent Pipeline

Recognizing the urgency of workforce needs, the College is transforming the programs we offer by developing stackable credential pathways to expedite students’ entry into the AI field. In 2023, we launched Florida’s first Associate in Science in Applied AI, and a year later, this Fall 2024, the first Bachelor of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence. This pioneering pathway is designed to accelerate the talent pipeline with a streamlined path from certificate to associate to bachelor’s degree. From the outset, students are immersed in the ethical dimensions of AI through a foundational course on AI and Ethics. This critical first step instills in every student a commitment to integrity and social responsibility.

Since launching the Associate in Applied AI, we’ve seen remarkable interest in AI courses During 2023-2024 academic year, notably, 60% of these students are 26 or older, and 24% are 41 or older, indicating that professionals from different points in their career recognize the growing significance of AI in their future paths. Accelerating our commitment to making AI accessible to all, our program also proudly boasts a 40% female representation. The AI stackable programs’ growth trajectory is promising, with enrollment expected to double this academic year.

Inspiring Faculty Development in AI

To harness the full potential of artificial intelligence in education, Miami Dade College recognizes that empowering our faculty is paramount. As we shift the culture to one that encourages everyone to be creators, rather than resistors of new technology, MDC launched the President’s Innovation Fund, which actively supports faculty in integrating AI into their teaching practices. To date, 22 faculty-led projects focusing on AI have been funded, reflecting a commitment to drive transformative change in our educational methodologies. These projects span a variety of disciplines; examples include enhancing marketing strategies with AI, reimagining the first-year college experience, and even developing hybrid AI models that transform math instruction.

Additionally, through the “Artificial Intelligence for All” project, funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation, the School of Engineering and Technology continually provides industry-based professional development for MDC faculty to develop and pilot AI courses and integrate AI into existing curricula. To date, over 750 full-time and adjunct faculty members have participated in AI workshops where they have received training to deepen their understanding and enhance their teaching approaches. Continuing to invest in professional development, MDC makes AI training a key part of onboarding and annual upskilling for all faculty to ensure the College remains at the forefront of AI integration across academic pathways.

Industry Partnerships Connect Talent to Opportunity

A key to fueling the pipeline of talent for the future of work is industry engagement, and through Miami Dade College’s Artificial Intelligence Business Industry Leadership Team (BILT), we are strengthening partnerships that expand real-world, work-based learning opportunities for our students. Formed with guidance from national AI experts, BILT has not only supported the development of Florida’s first undergraduate degrees in applied AI but has also laid the groundwork for active collaboration between MDC and industry leaders.

These partnerships are already creating impactful, hands-on learning experiences for students. For example, MDC students are working with Interport, a logistics company, to develop an AI model that provides the sales team with real-time quoting and estimating capabilities. With Visa, students are analyzing transaction datasets to build a fraud detection model that will flag suspicious transactions before processing. In collaboration with Miami-Dade County’s Department of Transportation and Public Works, students are also examining transportation data to identify system gaps and recommend improvements. As we expand our program, we look forward to continue forging even more partnerships that will expose our students to even more valuable work-based learning opportunities.

State-of-the-art AI Facilities Convene Community

At the core of our mission to create an AI workforce is the recognition of the importance of innovative spaces designed to train our students and engage our community. During the 2022–23 academic year, Miami Dade College inaugurated two state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence Center facilities at two of our campuses which serve as the epicenter for engagement, curriculum-building, and collaboration.

As we work to further solidify our role as a hub for Miami’s local AI ecosystem, we are set to expand and open a third AI Center this academic year at another campus. Beyond academic functions, these centers are integral to connecting talent to industry and are becoming vital community spaces for AI enthusiasts and professionals alike. For example, hosting events like GPTuesdays, the AI Centers have emerged as a cornerstone convener uniting community members, students, faculty, and industry leaders to explore the latest advancements in AI and other emerging technologies.

Expanding AI Education Nationwide

As the first college in Florida to offer both associate and bachelor’s degrees in AI, Miami Dade College is proudly leading the vision and development of the AI technical workforce through the National Applied AI Consortium. This initiative, in partnership with Houston Community College and Maricopa County Community College District, has already received over $5 million in grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to empower community colleges nationwide to train the AI workforce.

The Consortium counts on the support of industry partners like Microsoft, AWS, Intel and Google. These companies are providing resources, funding, and curriculum to elevate the community college faculty’s capacity to teach AI. Additionally, the Consortium has established a National Business Industry Leadership Team to guide the direction of the AI programs based on the relevant skills required by industry and to develop the job descriptions of the new AI technical roles that our students will fill.

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While we have made significant progress, we recognize that the rapid evolution of AI requires us to remain agile and continuously align our programs with market demands. As we look to the future, our goal is to not only prepare our students with the skills necessary to excel in a dynamic landscape but to also cultivate a generation of ethical leaders and visionary thinkers who will go on to shape a workforce that drives innovation and societal progress.

Presidents Forum Guiding Values

by | Nov 8, 2024 | Innovation, Outcomes and Accountability, Underserved Communities, Working Learners

Presidents Forum Guiding Values

Why it matters

The Presidents Forum is reshaping higher education with a focus on working learners and transparent, innovative practices.

The big picture

Executive Director Wesley Smith outlines three core values that set the Presidents Forum apart:

  1. Putting students first: Prioritizing student success above all, especially for “working learners” with diverse needs.
  2. Transparency: Evaluating institutions based on the financial value they provide to students and advocating for regulatory parity in distance education.
  3. Accountable innovation: Fostering innovation that directly enhances student success, not just for its own sake.

What’s next

The Presidents Forum invites collaboration and partnership to continue reshaping higher education for today’s learners.

Biden’s New Student Loan Forgiveness Plan: What You Need to Know

by | Nov 7, 2024 | Policy

Biden’s New Student Loan Forgiveness Plan: What You Need to Know

The big picture

The Biden administration has unveiled a new proposal for student loan forgiveness, focusing on borrowers experiencing financial hardship. This “Plan B” comes after the Supreme Court struck down the administration’s first attempt in summer 2023.

Why it matters

The proposed rule could potentially forgive billions in student loan debt, but faces significant hurdles in implementation and potential legal challenges.

By the numbers

Cost estimates for the program range from $112 billion to $400 billion over the next decade, depending on various factors and implementation details.

What’s next

The Department of Education faces a tight timeline to finalize the rule before a potential administration change. The process includes a public comment period, review by the Office of Management and Budget, and publication of a final rule.

The bottom line

While the Biden administration is pushing to implement this new forgiveness plan, its future remains uncertain due to regulatory hurdles and the possibility of a new administration reversing course.

Higher Education’s Path Forward: Lift, Not Limit

Higher Education’s Path Forward: Lift, Not Limit

by | Nov 6, 2024 | Innovation, Outcomes and Accountability, Policy

By Wesley Smith, Presidents Forum

The recent debate over affirmative action and legacy admissions reflects a fundamental issue in American higher education. We remain entangled in an outdated paradigm that views higher education through the lens of exclusivity. This focus on scarcity—on who gets in and who gets left out—belongs in the past. It’s time to dismantle this concept and build a higher education system centered on open access, inclusion, and the real value it delivers to students and society.

What if, instead of celebrating how many students were excluded, we celebrated how much opportunity was created? What if we shifted the conversation from selective admissions toward student outcomes—specifically, the economic uplift that education provides? This “lift” should be our ultimate measure of success, defined by the economic outcomes of students after earning a credential compared to their expected trajectory without it. The cost of these credentials must also be factored in to understand the true return on investment.

The True Measure of Success: Lift

To evaluate “lift,” we need a radical rethinking of the data we use to assess educational effectiveness. Imagine a world where institutions are rewarded for the transformative impact they have on students’ lives rather than their rejection rates. In this new system, schools are incentivized not for how many applicants they turn away, but for how much value they provide to those they enroll—an inclusive vision that prioritizes outcomes.

Measuring lift requires connecting education data with economic outcomes. To do this, we need to enable the underlying data connections necessary for a robust analysis of educational impact. The IRS gathers data on income that, if integrated with Department of Education records on degrees and credentials earned, could help us understand the lift that specific programs or institutions provide. This approach is not about rankings or prestige; it’s about
demonstrating the tangible value of an education in real economic terms.

Institutions should be evaluated on their ability to deliver a meaningful increase in students’ economic prospects. Did a given program help its graduates gain higher-paying jobs, or achieve financial stability? Did it create a measurable difference compared to what would have been possible without that education? This is the standard by which we should judge higher education.

Breaking Free from the Old Paradigm

If we embrace this “lift” paradigm, we can break free from the trappings of exclusivity. Institutions, instead of competing for prestige based on the selectivity of their admissions processes, would compete based on the outcomes of their graduates—how much they truly elevate those who invest in education.

This new focus will also reward institutions that enroll students with the most potential for growth, not just those who are already elite. Under the current system, universities often seek out students who already have the best prospects—those from affluent backgrounds with access to top-tier high schools and extracurriculars. In contrast, a lift-based approach would shift incentives towards accepting students with the most to gain—those who have faced barriers and challenges that have limited their opportunities thus far. This model rewards institutions for taking chances on students who will benefit from greater support and have the greatest potential for transformation.

A Better Path for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

 

Consider the impact this could have on diversity, equity, and inclusion. The current admissions system—whether through affirmative action or legacy preference—is a zero-sum game that emphasizes seat allocation. It sees diversity as something achieved by slicing the pie differently, rather than by baking a bigger pie. A lift-based approach shifts the focus from mere representation to substantive impact. It ensures that we not only bring a diverse group of students into higher education but also propel them towards economic security and success.

Focusing on lift would lead to a natural enhancement of equity and inclusion, because the measure of success becomes the outcome for all students. We could see which institutions are truly leveling the playing field—not just by who they admit, but by what they help students achieve once they leave. In this way, lift is a far more substantive and inclusive metric than any admissions quota could ever be.

A Vision for the Future

By changing what we measure, we can change behavior. Measuring lift incentivizes institutions to invest in the programs and supports that truly benefit students. This includes focusing on quality instruction, career services, and other forms of student support that help graduates realize their economic potential. Instead of spending resources on amenities to impress prospective students or chasing prestige in the form of selective admissions, institutions will prioritize what really matters: improving student outcomes.

It’s time to abandon the obsession with scarcity and exclusivity in higher education. We need a system that prioritizes access, inclusion, and tangible benefits for students. By embracing lift as our guiding principle, we can build a higher education system that not only reflects our ideals of opportunity and equity but also proves its worth through meaningful, measurable results. The goal is not to divide students into those who “make it” and those who don’t—it’s to lift everyone who wants to rise.

Wesley Smith serves as the executive director of the Presidents Forum, where 18 of the most
innovative institutions of higher education work together to embrace accountable innovation and reinvent the system of higher education to benefit students.

October Media Availability Recap

by | Nov 6, 2024 | Innovation, Policy, Underserved Communities

October Media Availability Recap

What’s Happening

Presidents from the Presidents Forum, including Dr. Lisa Vollendorf (SUNY Empire) and Madeline Pumariega (Miami Dade College), shared innovative ways their institutions are championing underserved communities. From neurodivergent learners to debt-free graduates, they highlighted inclusive, affordable education initiatives.

Key Takeaways

  • SUNY Empire leads in supporting neurodivergent students through universal design, accessible online support, and career services to ensure successful transitions into the workforce.
  • Miami Dade College offers debt-free pathways and robust industry partnerships, making higher education accessible for thousands.
  • Micro-Credentials—Executive Director Wesley Smith emphasized these flexible, affordable options that are directly linked to employment, addressing specific barriers for working and underserved students.

What’s Next

The next media session will explore AI’s impact on higher education.