SXSW EDU: Economic Mobility and Equity in Higher Ed

Last month, WGU leaders hosted discussions at SXSW EDU that focused on the promise of economic mobility and equity in higher education. 

In with the New: Rating Higher Ed by Economic Mobility

Are schools living up to the promise of economic mobility? Marni Baker Stein, Chief Academic Officer and Provost of WGU, hosted a panel at SXSW EDU last month to discuss this topic.

In the discussion, experts took an in-depth look at a report by panelist Michael Itzkowitz of Third Way, which assessed economic mobility among higher education institutions using the innovative Economic Mobility Index (EMI). The analysis is designed to give policymakers, researchers, and consumers a better way to assess which colleges are delivering on the promise of economic mobility for low- and moderate-income students—and which ones are falling short.  

The Edges of Learning and Work

Scott Pulsipher, WGU President, discussed the most promising innovations in workforce education and their potential for equity. Then in a hands-on session with IDEO, they went beyond the headlines to hear stories directly from learners and workers and learn methods for designing solutions to meet their needs.