A2 to Industry: Designing the Future of Work

A2 to Industry: Designing the Future of Work

The future of work is being written now, and Michigan is poised to lead. Join the University of Michigan and Michigan Central for a dynamic workshop that brings together educators, innovators, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders to shape the next chapter in lifelong learning.

Participants will gain fresh insights into industry-wide shifts, a clear understanding of how higher education is evolving to meet market demands, and direct opportunities to influence how UMSI prepares Michigan’s workforce for success in a rapidly changing economy.

Lunch Provided. This event will be hosted at Newlab at Michigan Central.

Join us if you are:

• Mid- to senior-level industry professionals in tech, data, AI, product management, UX, and related sectors
• Startup founders and entrepreneurs seeking workforce-ready talent
• Alumni and professionals engaged in lifelong learning or workforce development
• Community, association, or non-profit leaders focused on innovation and economic competitiveness

Overview

Rooted in the University of Michigan School of Information’s mission to explore the intersection of technology and society, this workshop will convene innovators, industry professionals, and educators to envision the future of lifelong learning.

As the workplace evolves with the rapid advancement of technology, traditional degree models are no longer sufficient to meet the needs of employers or learners. Micro-credentials, certificates, and stackable programs present new opportunities for flexible, accessible, and market-relevant education.

This session is designed both to gather insights and to elevate UMSI expertise on emerging workforce trends, educational innovations, and research at the intersection of technology and society. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of industry-wide shifts, explore new models of lifelong learning, and identify concrete opportunities to collaborate with the University of Michigan in preparing Michigan’s workforce for the future.

This session will convene thought leaders and practitioners to:

• Explore emerging workforce needs and industry trends
• Discuss opportunities for professional development and upskilling
• Identify partnership pathways between higher education and industry
• Provide feedback to shape UMSI’s approach to alternative credentials

Facilitators

Mark W. Newman, Professor, School of Information , University of Michigan

Mark is an associate professor in the School of Information at the University of Michigan and also has an appointment in the EECS Department. He conducts research in human-computer interaction, ubiquitous computing, and health informatics. Mark teach courses on user experience research and design, programming, and application development. He has contributed to a number of curriculum design efforts, particularly relating to programming and user experience research & design. He has a mysterious past and is not the other Mark Newman.

Cliff Lampe, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, School of Information, University of MIchigan.

Cliff's research explores the social and technical structures of large-scale technology-mediated communication, with projects involving platforms such as Facebook, Wikipedia, Slashdot, and Everything2. He has also played critical roles in the creation of multiple social media and online community projects designed to enable collective action. Previously, Cliff spent six years as an assistant professor in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences at Michigan State University. He was named a 2024 Fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery, recognizing his contributions to the field. Cliff is widely recognized for his commitment to combining rigorous research with meaningful community engagement, an emphasis that is paramount in his career.

Host or Publisher University of Michigan Center for Innovation in Detroit