UM Hosts Major Educational Conference

Hundreds gather to focus on important, timely topics in higher education

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U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez
U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez

UM hosted a major educational conference in October, titled Defining a Twenty-First Century Education for a Vibrant Democracy.

It was highlighted by a keynote address from U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez. The conference focused on important and timely topics in higher education, including liberal arts education, global education, workforce development, academic innovation, and educational delivery.

“For two days, nearly 300 faculty, staff, administrators, community members, and students engaged in some of the biggest questions about postsecondary education today,” UM President Royce Engstrom says. “What should a university education look like in the twenty-first century? How do we create engaged citizens? How do we build a competitive workforce? I came away from the conference feeling energized—about the challenges and opportunities that face UM and higher education overall. It is clear that UM faculty are doing an excellent job preparing students for a vibrant democracy. I also was reminded of the need to continue modernizing our curriculum in terms of programs that are important in today’s world and the ways we make it available to our students.”

Other speakers included Debra Humphreys, vice president for policy and public engagement with the Association of American Colleges & Universities, and Patti McGill Peterson, presidential adviser for global initiatives with the American Council on Education.

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