Description

Who Needs College Anymore? – The Changing Landscape of Postsecondary Learning

Location

Barbara Wyles Auditorium, Donald L. Bisdorf Building, NOVA Alexandria Campus

Date & Time

April 9th, 2026 6-7:45PM

Key Details

***Thank you for your interest, but registration for this event is closed. If you are interested in receiving the post-event recording, please email the NOVA Foundation at [email protected]***

Time:

· Panel Discussion and Q&A: 6-7:15 p.m.
· Book Signing: 7:15-7:45 p.m.

For decades, the traditional four-year degree was sold as the only reliable bridge to the middle class. But as tuition costs soar and the skills gap widens, new pathways are emerging.

Inspired by the insights of Kathleen deLaski and her book, Who Needs College Anymore? Imagining a Future Where Degrees Won’t Matter, this panel brings together innovators, educators, and industry leaders to explore the rapidly shifting landscape of higher education—one that is steadily transitioning from a "one-and-done" educational model toward a fluid, lifelong "stepladder" of learning.

Join us for a candid conversation on how we can collaborate to build a more agile, affordable, and inclusive ecosystem that prioritizes competency and ensures learners are well prepared for what lies ahead in the future of work.

Key Discussion Pillars:

The Rise of Micro-credentials & Certifications: How "stackable" credentials allow learners to prove mastery in specific, high-demand skills.
Work-Based Learning & Modern Apprenticeships: Shifting the classroom to the workplace. We’ll discuss how "learning while earning" is becoming a competitive advantage for both Gen Z and employers.
The Stepladder Approach: How structured pathways and transferrable credits are creating more equitable entries into high-wage careers.
The Hybrid Landscape: From the explosion of dual enrollment in high schools to the refinement of online delivery, how is the concept of the “college campus” and “college experience” being redefined?

While admission is free for this event; we invite you to consider a $25 contribution to the NOVA Student Success Fund, which provides financial support to students experiencing an enrollment-threatening financial emergency.