| Economic downturn has created an increasingly | | | | organization's vice president and executive director, |
| competitive job market filled with highly qualified | | | | said colleges and universities will need to focus on |
| jobseekers and employers who have the liberty to be | | | | "enrollment, affordability and fund-raising" to cater to |
| choosy. As a result, many professionals are looking to | | | | today's busy students. |
| enhance their qualifications through the educational | | | | Charles Reed, the chancellor of the California State |
| opportunities of classroom-based and online degree | | | | University system who spoke at the conference, |
| programs. | | | | suggested post-secondary education officials eliminate |
| Many nontraditional students, however, are unable to | | | | the 12th grade and introduce students to |
| invest the time and money required to complete a | | | | collegiate-level coursework after their junior year of |
| traditional degree program at a brick-and-mortar | | | | high school. |
| institution. Consequently, many campus-based and | | | | Changes to the traditional pursuit of four-year degrees |
| online universities are developing convenient and | | | | were also proposed to ensure college graduates have |
| affordable degree programs that provide working | | | | a better chance of completing their degree programs |
| adults and students with more career boosting options | | | | and obtaining employment. David Gergen, a professor |
| than ever. | | | | at Harvard University's JFK School of Government |
| Additionally, many institutions and government officials | | | | who delivered the conference's keynote address, |
| are working to ensure the education sector is | | | | suggested universities place increased emphasis on |
| accessible to students of all ages, backgrounds and | | | | summer programs to help students earn degrees in |
| levels of experience. To address this issue, the | | | | three years instead of the typical four or five. |
| TIAA-CREF Institute, an organization that supports | | | | Higher education experts who attended the |
| developments in higher education and financial security, | | | | conference agreed that online education will play an |
| recently held its 2009 Higher Education Leadership | | | | invaluable role in ensuring these solutions are effective |
| Conference. | | | | in helping students gain the qualifications necessary to |
| At the event, higher education professionals proposed | | | | launch or accelerate their careers. Such initiatives are |
| solutions to the barriers facing individuals who wish to | | | | necessary to "provide access and opportunity at an |
| pursue post-secondary education in light of the current | | | | affordable price," said Elson S. Floyd, president of |
| state of the economy. Madeleine D'Ambrosio, the | | | | Washington State University. |