Special Program hosted by The Chronicle of Higher Education

Join The Chronicle of Higher Education for a two-part special program, on Thursday, March 8 in Salon D at the Hilton Austin Downtown. We’ll talk with an expert on techniques for tapping local and community organizations in addition to employers on how to create better on-ramps to college for adults—with some adult students on hand to keep us honest. The conversation will be followed by our version of Shark Tank where we put some new companies and ideas for reshaping the college experience through their paces.

Attend to experience this innovative programming under themes of “Leadership & Empowerment” and “Entrepreneurialism in Education.”

The Adult Student Meets the Network Effect 9:30am-10:30am

Presented by The Chronicle of Higher Education: The nation has more than 80 million adults who graduated from high school but never earned a postsecondary degree, an essential requirement for high-paying jobs. Meanwhile, colleges are enrolling fewer adult undergraduate students than they have in years past. Explore the varied challenges adult students face in attending college or returning to complete their degrees, drawing on the expertise of a long-time advocate for adult students and a veteran journalist of higher education.

Featuring:

• Goldie Blumenstyk, Senior Writer, The Chronicle of Higher Education
• Hadass Sheffer, President, The Graduate! Network, Inc.

Shark Tank: Edu Edition 11:00am-12:00pm

Presented by The Chronicle of Higher Education: The fourth annual pitch-a-thon pays homage to the TV show, but with a twist. Our panel of experts brings a mix of viewpoints – from a journalist, a college tech leader, and an entrepreneur – weighing in on transformative ideas from companies, colleges, and other players for improving the college experience.

Interested contestants, contact us by email at ChronicleEvents@chronicle.com

Featuring:

• Scott Carlson, Senior Writer, The Chronicle of Higher Education
• Goldie Blumenstyk, Senior Writer, The Chronicle of Higher Education
• Jason Jones, Co-Editor, ProfHacker
• Paul Freedman, Co-Founder & CEO, Entangled Ventures

Guest blog post courtesy of

Goldie Blumenstyk
Sr Writer, The Chronicle of Higher Education

Author: American Higher Education in Crisis? What Everyone Needs to Know (Oxford University Press, 2015)

@GoldieStandard

Reporting now for The Chronicle of Higher Education's Re:Learning project (Mapping the New Education Landscape) : chronicle.com/relearning

SXSW EDU Microphone photo courtesy of Anthony Mireles. Guest blogger photo courtesy of Goldie Blumenstyk.