Mercy University Hosts Local Business Leaders to Highlight Critical Role of Strategic Partnerships

This summer, Mercy University’s Division of Workforce Credentialing and Community Impact (DWCCI) welcomed 25 business leaders across Westchester to its “Transforming Higher Education and Reimagining the Workforce of the Future” forum to discuss the importance of partnerships between higher education and the employer sector. The event gathered stakeholders from various sectors including non-profits, general business, financial services, technology, health care and disability services.

“Meeting the challenge of re-imagining higher education is inherently a collaborative task,” said Brian Amkraut, vice president of Workforce Credentialing and Community Impact at Mercy University. “In order to serve our students and communities effectively, universities must engage symbiotically with the labor market and the public sector to develop new models for future success and sustainability.”

Colleges and universities are experiencing significant stress, with many institutions facing closures. This situation is driven by broader economic disruptions, rapid technological advancements, and shifting demographic trends. These factors underscore the urgent need to reimagine how higher education and the business community can work together more effectively, ultimately benefiting students, employers, and the broader economy.

The Forum highlighted several key points:

Broader Economic Disruption: The rapid pace of technological advancement is reshaping industries and necessitating a workforce with new and evolving skill sets. Higher education institutions must adapt to these changes to prepare students adequately for the future landscape. Your proactive engagement helps us anticipate and address these changes, ensuring that our programs align with the labor market's needs. This proactive approach is essential for staying ahead of the curve and maintaining relevance.

Demographic Challenges: Like many regions, New York is experiencing low unemployment coupled with a decreasing population. This situation makes it difficult for companies to find applicants with the right skills, raising concerns about the preparedness of graduates entering the workforce. Additionally, there is a growing perception that many graduates are underemployed, working in jobs that do not require a college degree. The high financial burden of higher education and uncertain return on investment are also contributing to a decline in student enrollment.

Mercy University is committed to aligning its career development efforts with the workforce needs of stakeholders in the region through CERTIFi by Mercy University, which provides employment-ready certificate programs and non-credit courses . The immediate next steps include creating a Transformation Team to demonstrate how Mercy University is making a commitment to being responsive.

Read the report here.