Schedule

Pre-conference for Building Resiliency for the Future of Work Cohort (invitation only)

3:30 - 4:30 pm

Welcome and Gallery Walk: What We are Learning
Achieving the Dream will welcome the Building Resiliency in Rural Communities for the Future of Work cohort to our first in-person event. To celebrate an amazing milestone across the cohort, we will hold our first gallery walk. In this interactive session, participants will have a chance to connect with each other and share feedback on the project thus far. 

4:30 - 5:30 pm

We are the Innovators: Reflecting on the Work So Far and Setting Intentions Moving Forward 
In this facilitated reflection session, attendees will look back and plan forward on meeting action plan goals. They will consider their roles as ambassadors uncovering opportunities in the digital economy. With their coaches, they will document their reflections and intentions for the institute.   

6:00 - 7:00 pm

Welcome & Networking Reception for All Attendees

Wednesday, July 13

8:30 - 9:00 am

Opening Plenary: Uncovering Opportunity in Rural Communities
This plenary focuses on how a framework of access, momentum, and mobility set the stage for uncovering rural opportunity in the digital economy. As rural community colleges continue to navigate emerging workforce opportunities, we must think differently about how our programs align with the digital skills that are critical to economic mobility.  

9:00 - 10:30 am

Industry’s Demand for Digital Skills 
Seismic shifts taking  effect in today’s economy pose challenges and opportunities to rural communities and community colleges serving rural areas. This session will explore shifts taking place in rural communities working to build the infrastructure needed to support the digital economy.  

Informed by research conducted by the Center on Rural Innovation, attendees will explore key examples of how community colleges and their partners are activating work to open access to jobs in the digital economy, including bolstering foundational elements such as broadband infrastructure, developing required skills, providing access to jobs in the digital economy, and enabling digital workforce development and support. Attendees will hear from a panel of industry leaders reflecting on the skills they seek as well as their experience with how they cultivate and leverage industry-higher education partnerships. 
Presenters: Matt Dunne, Founder and Executive Director, Center on Rural Innovation, Dr. Monica Parrish Trent, Vice President, Network Engagement, Achieving the Dream, Ben Sosne, Executive Director, Berkshire Innovation Center, Annmarie Lanesey, Founder and CEO, CanCode Communities,Ellen Kennedy, President, Berkshire Community College

10:30 - 10:45 am

Coffee Break

Transforming to Remain an Economic Engine in the Digital Economy

Rural community colleges are transforming to effectively align their program portfolios with labor market needs based on evolving needs of their local and regional markets. Strategic community connections and partnerships are required, with colleges playing a key leadership role to tap into current needs and elicit what is on the horizon. This work requires whole-institution commitment and careful consideration of what opportunities the college wishes to create as well as how the college plans and allocates resources.

Presenter: Dr. Greg Hodges, President, Patrick & Henry Community College

11:45 - 12:45 pm

Networking Lunch

12:45 - 1:45 pm

Integrating Digital Skills Throughout the Curriculum Using Program Review 
Fluency in applying digital skills is critical and should be incorporated across all programs of study. Learn more about available tools that allow for identification of necessary digital skills in colleges’ program review process. After seeing a demo of Achieving the Dream’s Digital Skills Program Review Tools, attendees will be ready to identify the necessary digital skills that should be incorporated into their program review processes. 

2:00 - 3:15 pm

Interactive Session: Using The Digital Skills Program Review Tool
As the digital economy expands and evolves, community colleges will need to rely on existing partnerships and form new ones that help them teach digital skills and utilize program review tools to measure to what extent students have gained those digital skills.  

In an interactive session facilitated by ATD coaches, attendees will be able to 

• Gain a deeper understanding of how they might use the digital skills program review tools within their own college’s processes 

• Explore how to use the program review tools with a specific program of study they have pre-selected 

• Begin to explore foundational digital skill requirements and digital skill requirements of specific programs of study 

• Understand the need to infuse work-based learning into the curriculum and how doing so requires strategic partnerships that maximize outcomes for all partners. 

3:15 - 3:30 pm

Refreshment Break

3:30 - 4:30 pm

Partnerships with Industry to Increase Access to Work Based Learning and Jobs                                                                                                                        
Work based learning not only builds transferable skills, but also facilitates rural students gaining the digital skills they need an earning while they learn. Building on the prior session, this session allows you to hear from rural community college leaders on their key lessons learned as they leverage partnerships with industry to increase students’ access to work based learning and jobs in the digital economy. 

4:30 - 4:45 pm

Wrap up and Adjourn
Attendees will reflect on the day’s sessions and prepare for day two of the Institute.  

5:30 - 6:30 pm

Building Resiliency in Rural Communities for the Future of Work Advisory Group Meeting (invitation only)

Thursday, July 14

8:00 - 9:00 am

Increasing Equitable Access and Success for Adult Students
Hear from rural colleges who are leading work to increase access and success for their adult students aged 25+ who have intersecting racial and ethnic identities.   When colleges understand the needs of racially minoritized students and their communities, they are better able to develop supports that enable them to successfully achieve a credential. Learn how colleges are preparing students with the skills necessary to achieve greater success in the digital economy and how their strategies can be implemented at other institutions.    

9:00 - 10:15 am

Interactive Session: Industry and Employer Partnerships Using the Partnerships Analysis Tool
In facilitated action planning time, attendees will have a chance to use the Partnerships Analysis Tool to analyze and advance their college’s strategic partnerships with industry and employers. This includes exploring community dynamics, history, and day-to-day experiences; followed by an exploration of which partnerships support students’ gaining and applying strong, in-demand, work-based skills through use of the Partnership Analysis Tool. 

10:15 - 10:30 am

Coffee Break

10:30 am - noon

Closing Session: Intercollege Consulting on Digital Skill Strategies and Partnerships
Each small role-alike group, with support from a facilitator, will present and consult on one problem or dilemma on increasing digital skills fluency and one proposal on building strategic employer partnerships. By participating in this intercollege consulting, attendees will have the chance to gain new ideas to support the design and/or implementation of programs and supports.  

What will you bring back to your community? Attendees will have opportunities for final reflections.