City Club event will be moderated by WKYC’s Micki Byrnes

To better understand the challenges and opportunities that exist in higher education, the City Club of Cleveland will host a panel discussion featuring Ronald M. Berkman, president of Cleveland State University, Alex Johnson, president of Cuyahoga Community College, and Matthew J. Wilson, president of The University of Akron.  “The Future of Public Higher Education in Ohio” will be held at 12 p.m., Friday December 15 at the City Club, 850 Euclid Avenue, 2nd Floor. Tickets are $20 for City Club members and $35 for nonmembers. It will be moderated by Micki Byrnes, president and general manager of WKYC.

Public higher education in America is at a crossroads. Dwindling state budgets, reduced federal research support, increasing calls for a reduction in student debt and the need to more directly connect instruction with the needs of employers are just a few of the significant challenges colleges and universities are currently working to address. At the same time, numerous innovations, at institutions across the nation, are providing a road map for how higher education can transform itself to better meet the needs of 21^st Century society.

“I am encouraged by the significant opportunities that are available to improve education for our students and ensure that they graduate on time, career ready and with less debt,” Berkman says. “I am very pleased to be able to discuss these important issues with my fellow higher education leaders and provide perspective on how higher education can continue to evolve.”

The event is part of the City Club’s Mandel Forum on the State of Higher Education in America. For more information or to register, visit https://www.cityclub.org/events/the-future-of-public-higher-education-in-ohio.

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