Liberal Arts vs. Workforce-Focused Education: Finding Common Ground

Monday, November 10th, 4:00-6:00 p.m., Gaige Hall Auditorium (Gaige 100), Rhode Island College

Liberal Arts vs. Workforce-Focused Education: Finding Common Ground in Preparing Students for Career Success and Engaged Citizenship

Join us for Rhode Island College’s inaugural Presidential Forum, where the future of higher education takes center stage. This isn’t your typical lecture—it's an interactive, community-focused event that brings together leading experts, educators, students, business leaders, and policymakers to explore one of today’s most urgent questions:
How can we prepare students for both meaningful careers and purposeful lives?

The forum will feature two nationally recognized thought leaders offering distinct yet complementary perspectives:

• Dr. Richard A. Detweiler, author of the widely acclaimed book The Evidence Liberal Arts Needs, draws on interviews with more than 1,000 college graduates to demonstrate how liberal arts education fosters lifelong success, civic engagement, and adaptability in a changing world. A noted scholar and advocate for liberal learning, Dr. Detweiler has spent decades studying how education shapes human development and democratic societies.
• Dr. Paul Harrington, a distinguished labor economist and former Director of Drexel University’s Center for Labor Markets and Policy, now serves at Rhode Island College. His extensive research focuses on workforce trends, labor market outcomes, and educational strategies that prepare students for today’s rapidly evolving economy. Dr. Harrington champions career-focused preparation that aligns educational pathways with students’ professional goals and the needs of employers.

Moderated by Ted Nesi, award-winning political and economic reporter for WPRI-TV, the discussion will offer a lively, informed exchange on how higher education can balance liberal arts ideals with workforce readiness.

Whether you’re a student charting your future, a parent investing in education, an educator shaping tomorrow’s leaders, a business professional seeking skilled graduates, or a policymaker shaping Rhode Island’s future, this event invites you to be part of a timely and important conversation.

President Warner launched the Presidential Forum Series to foster thoughtful, respectful dialogue that strengthens both our institution and our democracy. In a time when complex questions demand nuanced answers, Rhode Island College is proud to host conversations that bring diverse perspectives together—building common ground and charting a path forward that serves all students.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher American Democracy Project