What should be done in fields of education right now:
A commitment and focus on individual and organizational viability and success through partnerships that increase revenue and support thriving communities
The problem that education must help solve: organizational and community viability
Just about all forms of quality structured education and growth – education, K-12 schooling, employee training and development, etc. – make a positive and measurable difference to individuals, organizations, and communities. While the positive relationship between formal education and success is not a new concept, the grave importance of educational access and structured quality growth opportunities for individual, organizational, and community viability, is now heightened, particularly in a time of American industry and educational change, innovation, and upheaval. Translation: formal education and development is not just “nice” but is required for organizational and/or community viability and survival.
Access to education supports organizational and community viability and growth
Growing – and thriving – in enrollment or business, and serving individuals and communities with hope and opportunities, requires a supported commitment to educational access. A commitment requires resource allocation in the form of strategy and personnel to implement action. Clear goals and champions must be established to increase access to education and facilitate thriving organizations and communities. Whether employee development or student learning, for organizations to succeed there must be a clear commitment to education in order to improve and grow.
To be successful partners and champions are required
Access to education only works for the masses when supported by multiple stakeholders and partners. It is vital that communities, organizations, and individuals partner in defined ways to ensure that the next generation of employees, students, and industries come together to support access to education. Tangible partnerships in support of education can take on many forms – joint grants, private gifts, industry commitments to work together in ways that provide education, growth, and development will benefit all entities. Organizations must develop a clear strategy to pursue individual and community collective impact through education and then seek professionals with the skills to do this work. With partners and champions in place, individuals, organizations, and communities have a blue-print to grow, thrive, and survive in changing and unpredictable times.
Education, in partnership with others, must take the lead
Higher education, in partnership with organizations, communities, and business, is primed to champion partnerships in a new age of needed increase in educational access, training, and growth required for individual and organizational viability and thriving communities for all. The potential is great to positively change lives, increase revenue, and evolve industries in ways that benefit individuals and communities. The stakes are also high without a clear strategy of supporting and increasing educational access – industries become irrelevant, individuals are trapped at a low-economic status, and organizations and communities miss their potential to serve and thrive.
For more information or conversation
Dr. Julie Murray-Jensen is a passionate and skilled professional with a track-record of growing education in all of its many forms. She has worked extensively with employee development, student success, and industry partnerships. Her commitment is driven by helping people and communities grow in measurable ways that positively contribute to organizational viability. To learn more, visit Julie Murray-Jensen on LinkedIn.