Udita Srimushnam

A Matter of Degrees: How Education Enriches Us All

Ernest Wilson, Ross Duvall, Greg, Governor, Farah Doon, Udita Srimushnam, Brooke Allen, Noah

The panel "A Matter of Degrees" convened experts including Dean Ernest Wilson, economist Ross Duvall, and former Governor Gray Davis to address the widening skills gap and financial risks threatening the U.S. higher education system. Participants analyzed data showing declining U.S. educational competitiveness among younger generations and debated transformative solutions such as competency-based credentials, co-op work models, and private-public research partnerships to align academic output with market demands. The discussion concluded with a consensus that without structural reforms prioritizing transparency and employer-defined skills, the sector will fail to mitigate inequality or sustain long-term economic growth.