The Role of Higher Education in a Changing Economy

UW Impact’s 2017 Legislative Preview

Thurs. Jan 5, 2017, 7 p.m.

 

University of Washington, HUB Lyceum
4001 E Stevens Way NE
 Seattle, Washington, 98105

Register HERE, Admission is FREE

 

Jobs and anxieties over a changing economy were some of the issues voters had on their minds when they went to the ballot box in November. New technologies are disrupting traditional industries and creating jobs that didn’t even exist ten years ago; and the UW is one of the biggest drivers of innovation in our state.

How do we ensure that public higher education remains a public good for all Washingtonians in changing times?

Moderator Joni Balter, ‘74, journalist, UW Evans School of Public Policy and Governance lecturer and KCTS9 political analyst, leads a discussion with our expert panel on how public higher ed might fare in the upcoming legislative session and beyond.

  • Looking at themes from the recent election, is higher education still valued as a public good on both sides of the aisle? On both sides of Washington state?
  • How can higher education make sure we don’t leave Americans behind as technology replaces jobs and reshapes skill sets?
  • While state funding seems to favor STEM education at the post-secondary level, are the liberal arts still a worthy public investment?
  • Is any of this relevant if our Legislature can’t fund K-12? Is investment in higher education a priority when legislators are forced to invest hundreds of millions into K-12?

The evening’s panelists will include:

• Maud Daudon, president and CEO of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.

• Cyrus Habib, Lieutenant Governor-elect & former State Senator.

• Rob McKenna, ’85, former Attorney General of Washington and current member of the UW Regents Government Task Force.