Pres. John Maduko: Leading With Student-Centered Vision

by Presidents Forum | Jul 7, 2025 | Innovation

Pres. John Maduko: Leading With Student-Centered Vision

Big picture:

As President of Connecticut State Community College (CT State), John Maduko leads New England’s largest community college, focusing on accessibility, affordability, and industry-aligned education.

By the numbers:

CT State has 12 campuses serving all 169 Connecticut municipalities
Leads all New England community colleges in student retention
Seven campuses offer childcare centers to support student parents

Key initiatives:

Marianne Handley Award: A “last dollar” free tuition program making CT State one of the most affordable institutions in the Northeast
Comprehensive wraparound services: Mental health support, transportation assistance, and childcare resources
Industry partnerships: Close relationships with healthcare, manufacturing, and IT sectors to align curriculum with workforce needs

Bottom line:

Maduko positions CT State as “the people’s college” that never turns students away, serving as an anchor institution supporting Connecticut’s economic and workforce development.

Future of Distance Education

by Presidents Forum | Jul 3, 2025 | Innovation, Outcomes and Accountability, Working Learners

Future of Distance Education

The Big Picture:

Three university presidents discussed how AI, personalized learning, and industry partnerships are reshaping distance education.

Why it matters

Higher education faces urgent pressure to adapt to technological changes while ensuring accessibility and addressing workforce needs in real-time.

Key insights

Skills assessment is evolving — Traditional evaluation methods are becoming obsolete as AI enables complex assessment models including virtual simulations and AI-facilitated oral exams.
Micro-credentials are gaining traction — All three presidents emphasized “stackable” and “trackable” shorter-term credentials to meet rapid upskilling needs.
Industry alignment is critical — Universities must prepare students for careers that don’t yet exist while tailoring critical thinking and communication skills to specific industry contexts.
AI can enhance human connections — “Flipping the organization” allows technology to handle logistics while educators focus on higher-order interactions.
Personalized student support — 24/7 virtual services, predictive analytics, and virtual exam proctoring are improving accessibility and outcomes.

The bottom line

Distance education’s future success hinges on balancing technological advancement with meaningful human learning experiences that prepare students for a rapidly evolving workforce.

U.S. Semiconductor Ecosystem Updates

by Presidents Forum | Jun 23, 2025 | Innovation

The Presidents Forum remains committed to creating a robust semiconductor manufacturing workforce ecosystem within the United States. We’re excited to share these important CHIPS Act opportunities:

WEBINAR: Unlocking Opportunities – NSTC Workforce Awards & Top Workforce Solutions Programs

Date: Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. ET
Registration Deadline: Thursday, July 3, at 5:00 p.m. ET
Learn about funding and recognition opportunities through the National Semiconductor Technology Center
Register here: NSTC Workforce Awards Webinar Registration

Natcast Launches 2025 NSTC Workforce Awards Program

10-20 awards ranging from $500,000 to $2 million
Supports training and educational programs for semiconductor jobs
Submission Intent Form deadline: August 11, 2025
Full details: 2025 NSTC Workforce Awards Call for Proposals

R&D Update: Natcast Finalizes First NSTC R&D Contracts

$30 million investment in AI-driven RFIC design innovation
Projects led by Keysight Technologies, Princeton University, and UT Austin
Enhancing U.S. global competitiveness in next-gen communications
Learn more: NSTC R&D Contracts Announcement

Together, we can help secure U.S. leadership in this critical sector.

AI’s Transformative Role in Education

by Presidents Forum | Jun 19, 2025 | Innovation, Video

AI’s Transformative Role in Education

Why it matters:

While the internet democratized access to education, AI can potentially ensure every learner succeeds by adapting to individual needs and abilities.

Key insights:

WGU was designed to be “student-centered, tech-first” from its inception during the early internet era
Pulsipher warns against simply using AI to make existing educational models more efficient
Instead, he advocates rethinking education entirely: “What are the capabilities of the new technology that would say, living in that unconstrained world, what would you do?”

The bottom line:

Just as the internet expanded access to education, AI has the potential to personalize learning itself—unlocking the full potential of every individual in ways we’ve never been able to before.

Breaking the Time Barrier

by Presidents Forum | Jun 19, 2025 | Innovation, Outcomes and Accountability, Video

Breaking the Time Barrier

Why it matters:

Traditional higher education is constrained by fixed time periods that don’t match how people actually learn.

The big picture:

As college costs rise and student debt mounts, education leaders are reimagining a system where:

Learning is validated by demonstrating skills, not seat time
Technology enables personalized, flexible pathways
Access expands to working adults and underserved populations

Bottom line:

This transformation challenges long-held assumptions about higher education while creating more accessible, effective, and equitable learning opportunities.

UMGC: Bridging Education and Employment

by Presidents Forum | Jun 12, 2025 | Innovation, Working Learners

UMGC: Bridging Education and Employment

The big picture

Workforce development has become central to UMGC’s mission, focusing on bridging the gap between education and employment.

Key insights

Students need to both learn and effectively communicate their skills to employers
Employers want graduates whose skills align with real workplace needs
Critical thinking and communication skills remain challenging to measure

What’s next

UMGC is prioritizing:

Experiential over theoretical coursework
Anticipating evolving workforce needs
Staying ahead of technological changes
Building confidence in both students and employers