Breakout Sessions

Thursday, September 18, 11:00 AM–12:30 PM

1A: Strengthening Short-Term Credential Pathways (Foxhall B/C, 1st floor)

This session focused on evidence on the economic returns to short- and long-term certificates, how certificate programs can be more strongly connected to labor market opportunities, and implications for public policy.

Speakers: Madeline Joy Trimble, Community College Research Center and CAPSEE; Robert G. Templin, Jr., Northern Virginia Community College; Robert “Butch” Grove, Wake Technical Community College; Cheryl L. Hyman, City Colleges of Chicago

Discussant: James Jacobs, Macomb Community College

1B: Strengthening Transfer Pathways (Foxhall A, 1st floor)

Panelists discussed how colleges can improve successful transfer between the two- and four-year sectors, and in particular how they can create transfer pathways that meet labor market opportunities and needs.

Speakers: Davis Jenkins, Community College Research Center and CAPSEE; Maria Hesse, Arizona State University; Peter R. Jones, Temple University

Discussant: David A. Longanecker, Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education

1C: Labor Market Outcomes for Postsecondary Credentials and Pathways—Session I (Georgetown, 2nd floor)

CAPSEE researchers presented findings from several states on labor market outcomes for various postsecondary pathways and programs of study. Presenters also discussed methodological and data-gathering challenges to consider when pursuing this line of research.

Speakers: Harry Holzer, Georgetown University; Ben Backes, American Institutes for Research; Susan Dynarski, University of Michigan and CAPSEE; Di Xu, Community College Research Center and CAPSEE*

Discussant: Nate Johnson, Postsecondary Analytics

*Presenting in place of Shanna Smith Jaggars

1D: Labor Market Outcomes for Postsecondary Credentials and Pathways—Session II (Kalorama, 2nd floor)

CAPSEE researchers presented findings from several states on labor market outcomes for various postsecondary pathways and programs of study. Presenters also discussed methodological and data-gathering challenges to consider when pursuing this line of research.

Speakers: Michal Kurlaender, University of California, Davis, and CAPSEE; Michel Grosz, University of California, Davis; Vivian Yuen Ting Liu, Community College Research Center and CAPSEE; Clive Belfield, Queens College, City University of New York, and CAPSEE

Discussant: Thomas Bailey, Community College Research Center and CAPSEE

Thursday, September 18, 3:30–5:00 PM

2A: Helping Students Make Program and Career Choices (Georgetown, 2nd floor)

In this session, panelists discussed programs and systems that use labor market outcome data to help students make better choices regarding the programs and careers they pursue.

Speakers: Patrick Perry, California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office; Brian Jacob, University of Michigan and CAPSEE; Michelle Van Noy, Rutgers University, Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, and CAPSEE; Alex Ruder, Rutgers University, Heldrich Center for Workforce Development

Discussant: Melinda Mechur Karp, Community College Research Center

2B: Performance Funding (Foxhall B/C, 1st floor)

Panelists discussed how accountability systems that take into account labor market outcomes might work to improve college performance, and how policy might be crafted to avoid obstacles and unintended consequences.

Speakers: Kevin J. Dougherty, Community College Research Center; Michael L. Reeser, Texas State Technical College System; Joshua Wyner, Aspen Institute College Excellence Program; Iris Palmer, National Governors Association

Discussant: Travis Reindl, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

2C: Technical Challenges in Calculating Labor Market Returns for Accountability Purposes (Kalorama, 2nd floor)

In this session, panelists discussed practical and methodological issues that complicate efforts to calculate labor market outcomes for various postsecondary credentials.

Speakers: Susan Dynarski, University of Michigan and CAPSEE; Arne Kalleberg, University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill and CAPSEE; Michael Dunn, University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill; Clive Belfield, Queens College, City University of New York, and CAPSEE

Discussant: Sandy Baum, The Urban Institute & George Washington University

2D: For-Profit Institutions (Foxhall A, 1st floor)

Panelists discussed findings on labor market outcomes for credentials awarded by for-profit colleges and the implications for policy and practice.

Speakers: David Deming, Harvard University and CAPSEE; Vivian Yuen Ting Liu, Community College Research Center and CAPSEE; Carolin Hagelskamp, Public Agenda

Discussant: Andrew Kelly, American Enterprise Institute

Friday, September 19, 11:00 AM–12:30 PM

3A: Balancing School and Work Through Online Learning (Foxhall A, 1st floor)

This session explored online education as an approach used by college students to reduce costs and increase flexibility. Panelists presented research on the impacts of this choice on college success and future earnings and discussed its implications in terms of practice and policy.

Speakers: Di Xu, Community College Research Center and CAPSEE;* Carolin Hagelskamp, Public Agenda; Julian L. Alssid, College for America at Southern New Hampshire University

Discussant: Richard Kahlenberg, The Century Foundation

*Presenting in place of Shanna Smith Jaggars

3B: Student Aid and Student Debt at Community Colleges (Foxhall B/C, 1st floor)

Panelists presented research on the relationship between financial aid and student outcomes at community colleges, and discussed implications for policy and practice.

Speakers: Judith Scott-Clayton, Community College Research Center and CAPSEE; Mark Wiederspan, University of Michigan; Lauren Schudde, Community College Research Center and CAPSEE

Discussant: Lesley J. Turner, University of Maryland

3C: Working While Enrolled (Georgetown, 2nd floor)

Panelists discussed how student employment impacts enrollment, performance, and labor market outcomes and presented research on the effects of the Federal Work-Study Program.

Speakers: Toby Park, Florida State University; Veronica Minaya, Community College Research Center and CAPSEE; Adela Soliz, Harvard University

Discussant: Karen A. Stout, Montgomery County Community College

3D: Labor Market Data Access and Linking (Kalorama, 2nd floor)

This session addressed the following questions: What important research questions can we currently not address due to problems with labor market data access and linking, and what barriers stand in the way of getting and using these data effectively? What are examples of institutions that have successfully navigated these barriers, and how are they using the data they have obtained?

Speakers: Colin Chellman, City University of New York; Joshua Hawley, The Ohio State University; Christina Whitfield, Kentucky Community and Technical College System

Discussant: Patrick Kelly, National Center for Higher Education Management Systems