Bosch Community Fund supports Pawley Lean Community Service Internships - Oakland University

The first Oakland University - Pawley Lean Institute Community Service Internship started in the fall of 2019. The program was an innovative partnership between the Pawley Lean Institute and Boston’s Lean Enterprise Institute. The initiative was developed to put “Lean Thinking” into projects at non-profit, community service organizations. This would provide an opportunity for an Oakland University (OU) student to earn money via an internship and strengthen their resume with the completed project. The community service organization would implement a more efficient process through the completed project and any funder to the program would meet its community service outreach vision.

https://oakland.edu/oumagazine/news/SECS/2025/bosch-community-fund-supports-pawley-lean-community-service-internships

Here Are the Odds of Landing a Summer Internship at Goldman Sachs or JPMorgan - Sharin Shibu, Entrepreneur

Goldman Sachs had a 0.7% acceptance rate for its 2025 summer internship, which began last week.

The bank noted that it was “the most competitive” internship application cycle in its history.

The firm is already conducting final interviews for next year’s internship class.

https://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/goldman-sachs-internship-acceptance-harder-than-harvard/493960

Remote Internships for University Students: For College Students in the USA - Michael, the Licking News

Remote Internships for University Students have gained traction, as they bring opportunities for students who want to gain work experience while not being tied to a specific location. The concept of working from anywhere seems to be a smart move, as it balances academics and career growth. On the ground level, Remote Internships for University Students seem to be a viable situation because they bring flexibility, industry exposure and more. But from a deeper perspective, it also raises some significant questions about whether it should really help a student or just be a trend.

https://www.thelickingnews.com/remote-internships-for-university-students/

Brandeis University's Hornstein Program offers full scholarships to recently laid-off federal workers - Brandeis University

In response to the wave of recent federal layoffs, Brandeis University’s Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program will offer a limited number of full-tuition scholarships to eligible former federal employees and contractors. The initiative, which is available to candidates for the fall 2025 semester who wish to pursue a master’s degree within the Hornstein program, is designed to support talented professionals seeking to develop careers in Jewish nonprofit and communal sectors. Through this scholarship, applicants can choose to pair their Hornstein degree with a Master of Public Administration (MPP) or Master of Business Administration (MBA), pathways that provide them with the fundraising, strategy and human-resources skills they need to make successful career transitions into the Jewish communal sector. “These scholarships reflect our deep respect for individuals who have dedicated their careers to the public good,” said Liora Norwich, director of the Hornstein Program. “We are proud to offer this opportunity to build new leadership pathways for those who wish to now serve the Jewish community.”

https://www.brandeis.edu/stories/2025/may/of-note/hornstein-scholarship-federal-workers.html

Morgan State University Awarded State Grant to Train Displaced Federal Workers as Certified Teachers - Morgan State U

In a forward-looking response to Maryland’s urgent call to strengthen its educator workforce, Morgan State University is launching a transformative initiative that provides displaced federal workers with a streamlined pathway into the teaching profession. Backed by a $100,000 Teacher Quality and Diversity Grant from the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), Morgan’s new Transitioning to Teaching: A Strategic Response to Both the Diverse Teacher Shortage and Employment Crisis in Maryland program provides strategic innovation and impact that answer the state’s dual challenge of teacher shortages and employment displacement. The grant is part of Gov. Wes Moore’s $1-million statewide effort to help Marylanders — especially those displaced by recent federal layoffs — transition into new, stable careers in education. Morgan was among 11 institutions selected to receive funding to develop targeted retraining and licensure programs.

https://www.morgan.edu/news/morgan-awarded-grant-to-train-displaced-federal-workers

Cybersecurity Company Launches In-House 'University' Training Program -Patrick Kennedy, Star Tribune

Struggling to find enough qualified professionals in the field, the Minneapolis-based NetSpi started "NetSpi University," which pays for six months of training for new employees who lack experience. As cyber threats increase, companies need more protection to keep pace. Cyber crime losses exceeded $16 billion in 2024, a 33 percent increase over the prior year, according to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center. Minneapolis-based NetSpi specializes in proactive security by building up a company’s cyber protections and testing those systems rather than taking a reactive approach.

https://www.govtech.com/education/higher-ed/cybersecurity-company-launches-in-house-university-training-program

Lincoln University pilots one-year Employment Academy certificate Katie Grawitch, KBIA

Lincoln University is collaborating with the Missouri Department of Social Services on a pilot program for its Employment Academy, a one-year certificate program that combines credit-bearing online coursework with internship opportunities across Missouri. The inaugural spring semester of the program saw 11 students taking online courses across five “cohorts” or concentrations, including cybersecurity, direct care, office administration, accounting and administrative associate. After completing two eight-week online sessions, students with a 2.5 GPA or higher are eligible to complete a paid internship program during their second semester. 

https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/higher_education/lincoln-university-pilots-one-year-employment-academy-certificate/article_ea838dc5-0e05-41b8-a187-798a3361095c.html

Transforming your university into a forward-facing, future-ready institution. - Steven Mintz, Inside Higher Ed

In today’s fast-paced market, traditional degree programs are increasingly seen as too rigid or broad to meet the demands of employers and learners alike. Universities are addressing this gap by experimenting with microcredentials, modular certificates and digital badges that target specific skills and competencies. These focused learning modules can be stacked over time, allowing students to build up a portfolio of verified skills that complement their larger degree programs. This model offers flexible and affordable pathways for career advancement, enabling learners to update their expertise in areas like digital literacy, data analysis or emerging fields such as artificial intelligence.

https://www.insidehighered.com/opinion/columns/higher-ed-gamma/2025/06/27/transforming-your-university-forward-facing-institution

Who are AI leaders in Africa’s expanding digital ecosystem? - Maina Waruru, University World News

According to Coursera’s 2025 Global Skills Report, South Africa is the most artificial intelligence (AI)-advanced country in Africa and 61st in the world. Tunisia, Kenya and Morocco are in positions 68, 78 and 80, respectively. Other African countries making it to the top 100 globally include Ghana, Rwanda, Botswana, Egypt, Zambia, Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda and Cameroon. The report covers data collected from 109 countries, representing 56% of the world’s recognised sovereign states. A new feature in the report is the AI Maturity Index, a comparative analysis of global readiness that assesses progress in AI learning, research and innovation. The micro-credentials education company ranked South Africa, Tunisia, Kenya and Morocco as ‘emerging’ in AI-readiness and the rest of the continent, alongside numerous countries in Asia and Latin America, as ‘lagging’.

https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=202506231127283

Samaritan’s Feet Offers Transformational Internship Opportunities for College Students - CIAA

The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is proud to share three dynamic internship opportunities now available through Samaritan’s Feet International, an organization dedicated to creating a world with zero shoeless children. These internships provide meaningful, hands-on experience for undergraduate and graduate students seeking to make a global impact through nonprofit service and leadership. Samaritan’s Feet is a humanitarian aid organization that serves and inspires hope by providing shoes to those in need around the world. With the belief that a new pair of shoes can be a foundation for a better life, the organization has distributed millions of pairs of shoes to children in over 100 countries.

https://theciaa.com/news/2025/6/25/about-the-ciaa-samaritans-feet-offers-transformational-internship-opportunities-for-college-students.aspx

UW-Whitewater Continues Support of Workforce Needs - Kari Borne, UWW

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater has been awarded funds for the development of three microcredentials designed to meet regional workforce needs. The grants provided by the Higher Education Regional Alliance (HERA) are part of the organization’s Microcredential Project, which targets individuals seeking employment or upskilling in high-demand fields. “For decades, the School of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education has offered professional development programs in areas like teacher education and counseling, and with these microcredentials, we will now be able to meet growing workforce needs by fast-tracking people into high-demand careers,” says Matt Vick, dean.

https://www.uww.edu/ce/uw-whitewatersupportsworkforceneeds

How Microcredentials Are Revolutionizing the Higher-Education Business Model - Kristin D. Hultquist, Stephanie M. Murphy, Manhattan Institute

One notable external force causing internal change is the growing influence of “microcredentials.”[1] These shorter-term credentials are integrating into traditional degree pathways, and trustees of public colleges and universities should examine the role of these credentials in the baccalaureate programs of their institutions. Shorter-term credentials can provide substantial benefits for public four-year institutions, including improved return on investment on baccalaureate degrees, better alignment of skills with market demands, increased transparency, and greater responsiveness to labor-market changes. These benefits are most likely to be realized when a validated market analysis is conducted, clearly identifying the competencies needed from today’s students.

https://manhattan.institute/article/how-microcredentials-are-revolutionizing-the-higher-education-business-model

A regional framework for microcredentials is on its way - UNESCO

A recent study by the UNESCO International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNESCO IESALC) underscores that microcredentials are not merely a complement to traditional education but a strategic necessity for the region’s future. The study, Mapping Microcredentials in Latin America and the Caribbean: Towards a common framework, offers targeted recommendations for policy-makers and providers, laying the groundwork for a regional framework of minimum standards on microcredentials.

https://www.iesalc.unesco.org/en/articles/regional-framework-microcredentials-its-way-university-world-news

Why upskilling in AI and cybersecurity is crucial for today’s digital-first workforce - Bhavna Dubey, Times of India

From banking and healthcare to retail and logistics, digital transformation has reshaped nearly every sector in the last decade. But with this surge in automation, data storage, and cloud-based services comes an urgent parallel concern: cybersecurity. Organisations today are not just looking to innovate; they’re also trying to defend. And that’s where professionals with hybrid expertise in artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity are increasingly stepping in.The modern professional, whether from a technical, managerial, or operations background, is no longer expected to oversee workflows. They're now required to understand algorithmic decisions, evaluate risks, and ensure system integrity, all while driving digital value for their organisations.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/spotlight/why-upskilling-in-ai-and-cybersecurity-is-crucial-for-todays-digital-first-workforce/articleshow/121969663.cms

Building a Quality Microcredential Program: SUNY’s Microcredential Story - SUNY

SUNY’s policy-driven approach to microcredentials centers on faculty innovation, academic quality, partnerships with industry, stackable pathways to degrees, and portability to ensure value beyond the issuing institution. In a competitive environment where so many companies, universities and organizations are offering short-term credentials, SUNY has encouraged a niche for higher education that is responsive to regional and state needs and that leverages the power of student/faculty interaction, student supports, career and academic guidance. SUNY microcredentials: 1) provide the skills, knowledge, and experience to allow the learner to obtain a job or advance in a job; and 2) wherever possible, provide a pathway to additional credentials, including an initial or advanced degree..

https://www.suny.edu/microcredentials/build-a-program/

How are States Leveraging Micro-Credentials to Improve the Teacher Workforce? - elissa Tooley and Lisette Partelow, New America

Today states continue to attempt to address teacher shortages through a variety of different initiatives, so we set out to investigate what has—and hasn’t—changed about the educator micro-credential landscape and how states are using this tool to address shortages and other educator workforce policy goals. New America’s recent report, “When Micro Goes Macro: A Nationwide Review of States’ Educator Micro-Credential Policies,” explores if and how state educator policies are explicitly allowing or encouraging the use of micro-credentials. We found that over 60 percent of states (32, including the District of Columbia) now do so, a 23 percent increase from 2020.

https://www.newamerica.org/education-policy/edcentral/how-are-states-leveraging-micro-credentials-to-improve-teacher-workforce/

How will micro-credentials make your campus smarter? - Matt Zalaznick, University Business

Appetite for industry-aligned micro-credentials—among learners entering the workforce and employers seeking skilled candidates—is nearly universal, according to a new report from Coursera. The online academic program provider surveyed over 1,000 employers and learners, capturing perspectives across six regions and 10 countries. Globally, more than 90% of employers say that their employees with micro-credentials demonstrate higher proficiency in industry-relevant skills than those without and that the credentials are immediately applicable to job roles.

https://universitybusiness.com/how-will-micro-credentials-make-your-campus-smarter/

Advice for Employers and Recruiters Is it too late in the year for students to find gig / freelance internships? - College Recruiter

When most people hear the word “intern,” they think of someone showing up to the same office every day, working 9 to 5, and maybe even grabbing coffee for their manager. But today’s students are finding new ways to gain real-world experience—without the commute or the cubicle. More and more employers are open to hiring interns in a freelance or gig capacity, especially for project-based work like social media management, content creation, coding, design, or research. These roles don’t always come with a formal internship title, but they offer the same kinds of skills and resume-building opportunities. And for students, especially those juggling classes or needing flexibility, it’s a win-win.

https://www.pressreader.com/ireland/the-avondhu/20250619/283493622046945

Are Micro-Credentials Democratizing K-12 Credentialing? - Bruno V. Manno, Forbes

Increasingly, K-12 is using micro-credentials to verify and document what students and educators know and can do when assessed on particular learning outcomes. The effect is potentially profound. Journalist Sara Weissman says that young people’s use of micro-credentials is creating “The micro-credential generation, a fast-growing number of traditionally college-age students [who] are bypassing degrees to pursue cheaper and faster alternative credentials.” What follows examines the emerging use of micro-credentials in K-12 student learning and teacher professional development, the challenges involved in implementing this approach, and the lessons learned along the way.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/brunomanno/2025/06/16/are-micro-credentials-democratizing-k-12-credentialing/

Arcadia University Launches Workforce Development Solutions for Employers, Employees, Schools, and Organizations

Arcadia University, in collaboration with Core Education, a public benefit corporation specializing in transformative business model solutions, has launched its Workforce Development program, an initiative to help employers in Pennsylvania and beyond recruit, retain, and upskill their talent. Through this dynamic online certificate program, organizations can access customizable, scalable training programs tailored to meet specific industry demands and organizational goals.Workforce shortages continue to challenge employers across the state. According to the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, workforce development remains a top strategic priority, with skills gaps and talent shortages consistently cited as major barriers to growth. As of 2024, Pennsylvania had 304,000 job openings but only 233,000 unemployed individuals actively seeking work, revealing a shortfall of over 70,000 workers across the state.

https://ktla.com/business/press-releases/cision/20250613DC09440/arcadia-university-launches-workforce-development-solutions-for-employers-employees-schools-and-organizations/

How will micro-credentials make your campus smarter? - Matt Zalaznick, University Business

Who is benefiting most from micro-credentials at your college or university? Are these increasingly popular programs bringing new students to your campus and sparking interest in emerging career fields? The questions abound but one thing is clear in higher ed today: A growing emphasis on upskilling and career preparation is igniting a renewed focus on micro-credentials and attracting a new wave of students to campus.

https://universitybusiness.com/how-will-micro-credentials-make-your-campus-smarter/