Florida expert urges shift in how we talk about end-of-life care - Trimmel Gomes, Florida News Connection

Nurse practitioner and longtime palliative care provider Lolita Melhado is calling for a shift in the way patients, families, and clinicians approach advance care planning, urging conversations that focus on personal values rather than rigid checklists. She is helping introduce an affordable, accredited online certificate program created by Compassion & Choices and the Goals of Care Coalition of New Jersey to train professionals nationwide. With Florida’s large aging population, Melhado emphasizes that early, open discussions are essential to ensuring patient wishes guide medical decisions during serious illness or crisis.

https://theapopkavoice.com/stories/new-certificate-program-aims-to-transform-end-of-life-talks-in-florida,149102

New UK course builds AI skills across every major - Allie Barnes, University of Kentucky News

University of Kentucky students are invited to learn how to thrive in an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven world through a new online course.  UK is offering a 100-level, one-credit-hour course — Transdisciplinary Educational Approaches to Advance Kentucky (TEK 100): Collaborative Intelligence — Understanding and Using Modern AI.  This rolling, asynchronous course will be offered twice during the Spring 2026 semester, to create multiple opportunities for students to fit this in their schedule. This course will run from Jan. 12 through March 2, and from March 9 through May 8.  

https://uknow.uky.edu/campus-news/new-uk-course-builds-ai-skills-across-every-major

‘How do we educate people for life’: How to connect Canada’s education system to the needs of a fast-changing economy - The Hub, Canada

Based on a roundtable discussion featuring perspectives from major employers, post-secondary institutions, and the global learning company Pearson, a clear consensus emerges: Canada faces a critical challenge in bridging the gap between its education system and the rapidly evolving demands of the modern economy. The central issue is not necessarily the curriculum itself, but the lack of “connective tissue” and agility needed to keep pace with technological change, industrial policy, and AI-driven transformation.

https://thehub.ca/podcast/audio/how-do-we-educate-people-for-life-how-to-connect-canadas-education-system-to-the-needs-of-a-fast-changing-economy/

How new immersive tech is shaping workforce skills - Alcino Donadel, University Business

Career simulation training is gaining a new layer of realism powered by advances in artificial intelligence and virtual reality, which provide students with a more responsive environment to test their technical and soft skills. Since flight simulators first became a staple in aviation training decades ago, simulation technology has expanded into other highly technical fields, such as cybersecurity, law enforcement and healthcare. Simulations expose students to high-stakes situations that require sophisticated care but that occur very rarely. In healthcare, these situations are called “HALO” (high-acuity, low-occurrence) events. New technology provides a low-stakes environment where students practice technical skills, communication and problem-solving

https://universitybusiness.com/how-new-immersive-tech-is-shaping-workforce-skills/

A First Year Student Continues Her Education Journey During Summer Internship - Suffolk University

Suffolk Law appealed to Anusha because of its urban character, diverse enrollment, and relatively small classes. She also had heard that the faculty were highly approachable, which was affirmed upon her matriculation. “I’ve never encountered a faculty member,” Anusha remarks, “who doesn’t want you to succeed in every possible way.” She aims to be a prosecutor in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office, where she will be interning this upcoming spring semester in the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Unit. Through the First Year Summer Internship Program (FYSIP), Anusha worked for The Honorable Judge Michelle Yee, JD ’01 at the Essex County Family and Probate Court in Salem, MA. Before coming to Suffolk, Anusha had been drawn to family law, so this internship opportunity stood out to her. She points out that family court can be a difficult experience for those involved in the litigation. Cases may entail emotionally charged issues, such as contested divorces, child custody, and child support. Many people involved in the hearings lack legal representation and adequate knowledge of the process, adding an additional burden on the parties.

https://www.suffolk.edu/law/careers/gain-experience/1st-year-summer-program/first-year-student-continues-her-education-journey-during-summer-internship

North Carolina becomes latest state to offer residents help with online skills - Madyson Fitzgerald, Stateline

North Carolina published statewide digital skills standards last month that identify key knowledge and abilities for residents and will soon launch an online course, joining a number of states that are hoping to strengthen digital literacy. The North Carolina Digital Skills Standards, published by the state’s information technology department, is a framework that can be used to help residents understand basic digital skills. Next, an online learning course will be developed and “digital navigators” will be trained to help residents across the state.

https://stateline.org/2025/11/17/north-carolina-becomes-latest-state-to-offer-residents-help-with-online-skills/

How Coursera’s latest move shakes up the upskilling movement - Alcino Donadel, University Business

Coursera will charge a 15% fee to colleges and companies that use its online learning platform, starting in 2026. It’s a significant shift in universities’ relationship with third-party online program managers, or OPMs, following the scramble toward digital learning during the pandemic and the MOOC trend of the 2010s. “[Coursera] is not as dependent on their university relationships and is instead relying on industry partners and internal content,” says Brady Colby, head of market research at Validated Insights, a higher education research firm. The shift should alert higher education leaders that they could lose a share of the upskilling industry to other sectors, particularly in artificial intelligence, Colby adds.

https://universitybusiness.com/how-courseras-latest-move-shakes-up-the-upskilling-movement/

Jobs Report: Hiring Flat for 2026 Grads - Emma Whitford, Inside Higher Ed

Employers are increasingly using skills-based hiring processes that value college internship and co-op experience over GPAs. Skills-based hiring remains popular—69.5 percent of employers reported they use the approach. Asked how students can best prepare for a skills-based hiring process, employers primarily said applicants should “prepare for interviews that demonstrate their skills,” “participate in experiential learning or work during college” and “translate college coursework into a skills language.”

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/students/careers/2025/11/17/jobs-report-hiring-flat-2026-grads

College Launches New Micro-Credential Program - Mike Robertson|, College of Charleston

The College of Charleston is partnering with global online learning platform Coursera to launch a new program providing industry-branded micro-credentials to students, alumni, faculty and staff at no cost. Students will be able to earn professional certificates for in-demand workplace skills that will complement any academic major or minor. Faculty and staff will also be able to earn professional certificates through flexible, online training.  “This partnership will provide members of the College of Charleston community the opportunity to build skills using resources from some of the world’s leading companies,” says College of Charleston President Andrew T. Hsu. “As one of the oldest colleges in the nation, the College of Charleston is setting the blueprint for other liberal arts institutions to follow.” 

https://today.cofc.edu/2023/11/08/college-launches-new-micro-credential-program/

The Microcredential Generation - Sara Weissman, Inside Higher Ed

Their classroom is a little unusual. In fact, it’s not a room at all. The students are out on a forested logging site in the Kennebec Valley, a rural area of Maine. Neat piles of logs sit in the distance. A whiteboard hangs off of a truck. Heavy machines, which from afar look like large metal creatures, are waiting to be used.  McDonough is enrolled in Northern Maine Community College’s mechanized logging operations and forest trucking program. Free to students and organized in partnership with the Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast, the five-month program offers a pretty sweet-sounding deal: a logging credential along with commercial driver’s license training so the students can also haul the logs they’ve learned to cut. 

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/tech-innovation/alternative-credentials/2024/10/01/microcredential-generation

NDSU to offer new online certificate focused on AI - Isac Dinesen, InForum

North Dakota State University plans to offer a new certificate diving into the world of artificial intelligence and how humans interact with it. The faculty who were part of coming up with the idea say not only is AI part of the future, it is part of the present. David Westerman, associate professor in the NDSU Department of Communication, said, “I wouldn't even call it the future, because it's the present for sure, as well.” Starting in spring, NDSU is offering a new certificate students can earn: Human Factors in Artificial Intelligence. The certificate aims to give people a greater understanding of not only what AI is used for, but why.

https://www.inforum.com/news/fargo/ndsu-to-offer-new-online-certificate-focused-on-ai

Developing anesthesia nursing micro-credentials based on core competencies: a Delphi study - Xin Yin, Huihui Hu, Luo Wang, Shuo Wang & Fang Zhou; BMC Medical Education volume

In recent years, advancements in medical technology and a surge in surgical procedures in China have led to an escalating demand for anesthetic nurse services. Nevertheless, the existing quantity of anesthesia nurses in China significantly falls short of fulfilling this requirement. This study aims to develop scientifically rigorous and standardized anesthesia nursing micro-credentials, with the expectation of providing innovative solutions for the training of anesthesia nursing professionals and injecting new impetus into the sustainable development of the industry.

https://bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12909-025-08199-z

Nebraska State Colleges Launch System-Wide Initiative to Re-Enroll Thousands of Adults with “Some College, No Degree” - Inside Track

The Nebraska State College System—which serves more than 9,000 students across its three campuses annually—today announced the launch of an ambitious new system-wide initiative, Reengage Nebraska. The program is designed to help thousands of stopped-out students with some college credit but no degree return to higher education and complete a degree or credential. Built in collaboration with the 501(c)(3) nonprofit InsideTrack, the effort will support re-enrollment, persistence and completion at Chadron State College, Peru State College and Wayne State College. “Our State Colleges are built to serve those seeking to continue their education, building a career, raising a family or serving their community,” said Dr. Paul Turman, chancellor of the Nebraska State College System. “Reengage Nebraska is about bridging the last mile between higher education and economic opportunity. It’s also a powerful investment in individual opportunity and ultimately in the long-term strength of our workforce, our local economies and our communities.”

https://www.insidetrack.org/news/nebraska-state-colleges-launch-system-wide-initiative-to-re-enroll-thousands-of-adults-with-some-college-no-degree

University To Offer Expanded Programming, ‘Micro-Credentials’ In Summer 2026 - Tatiana Zaragosa, the Echo

California Lutheran University will introduce expanded programming and “micro-credentials” for the summer 2026 session to combat low enrollment, keep students on campus and generate revenue, according to Brandy Yee, assistant to the provost for summer programming and partnerships. Initial announcements of the planned changes came courtesy of Leanne Neilson, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, at an Oct. 28 Town Hall meeting. 

https://cluecho.com/30143/news/university-to-offer-expanded-programming-micro-credentials-in-summer-2026/

Shorter term, bigger gain? More colleges try eight-week calendar - Amy Dipierro, EdSource

In eight-week terms, two courses are a full course load, rather than four or five in semesters.

Supporters say compressed terms attract and retain busy students juggling work and family.

But there’s limited large-scale research on shorter terms and switching to a new calendar requires big campus-wide changes.

https://edsource.org/2025/accelerated-learning-community-colleges/743832

Wharton Online Launches Innovation Strategy and Design Thinking Certificate - University of Pennsylvania

Wharton Online today announced the launch of its new Innovation Strategy and Design Thinking Certificate, a fully online, self-paced credential designed to help professionals master innovation from idea generation through execution. Developed and led by Wharton professors Christian Terwiesch and Karl Ulrich, global authorities on innovation management, the certificate brings together three in-depth online courses that can be taken individually or as part of the full program:

Introduction to Innovation: Everyone Is an Innovator – Build foundational literacy and learn to identify and evaluate innovation opportunities using structured, AI-enabled methods.

Innovation Tournaments and the Process View – Learn to design and run live innovation tournaments that surface and scale winning ideas.

Design Thinking: Developing the Solution Concept – Apply customer-centered design frameworks to turn insights into tested, actionable solutions.

https://news.wharton.upenn.edu/press-releases/2025/11/wharton-online-launches-innovation-strategy-and-design-thinking-certificate/

The rise of micro-credentials in continuing education - BC Business

The rise of micro-credentials in continuing education - BC Business

Learn or be left behind. This is the imperative that’s driving many mid-career (and, increasingly, earlycareer) professionals to gain a competitive advantage in today’s tough employment market through upskilling. “Today, artificial intelligence is not a futuristic concept but a mainstream reality reshaping industries and professions,” says Jo-Anne Clarke, dean of Division of Continuing Studies at the University of Victoria (UVic). “Add the complexities of tariffs, geopolitical uncertainty and economic volatility, and it’s clear that both employers and employees are navigating an increasingly dynamic and unpredictable landscape.” In this context, a person’s initial credentials, degrees or training may not be enough for prospective employers, or for existing employers hiring for a senior role. 

https://bcbusiness.ca/industries/education/the-rise-of-micro-credentials-in-continuing-education/

ATU-Ozark Creating New Series of Micro-Credentials - Artkansas Tech Ozark Campus

Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus, in partnership with the Education Design Lab, is working on the launch of a new series of professional skills training micro-credentials designed to help upskill and reskill the workforce. The intended launch date is spring 2026. The collaboration has been supporting ATU-Ozark in designing a series of micro-credentials that align with workforce needs and prepare students for in-demand careers. These professional skills trainings will provide targeted learning opportunities in four key professional skill areas: industrial maintenance technician, community health advocate, fundamentals of supervision and digital marketing.

https://www.arkansastechnews.com/atu-ozark-creating-new-series-of-micro-credentials/

Macca's to serve up uni credits - Emily Bennett, 9 News Australia

More than 20,000 McDonald's workers will have the opportunity to turn workplace skills into "micro-credentials" for university subjects under a new program which will roll out to stores nationally today.

The fast food giant's Archways to Opportunity program will allow managers and crew coaches to earn up to eight micro-credentials by completing on-the job learning and face-to-face training. Workers can take the micro-credentials to any university nationwide and apply for recognition of prior learning.

https://www.9news.com.au/national/fast-food-giants-move-to-save-workers-up-to-20000/c2cd6231-98ac-4f15-abdb-f92d466e5bee

Non-degree credentials are surging. But the data is lagging Access and Affordability - Alcino Donadel, University Business

Attainment of certifications, licensing, boot camps, micro-credentials and apprenticeships tripled from 2009 to 2021. The latest findings from Pew now suggest that up to one-third of U.S. adults today have earned some form of a non-degree credential. While this trend signals growing demand for short-term, flexible learning opportunities, it remains unclear how some students can afford tuition. The majority of such programs are too short to qualify for federal aid, and less than a quarter of students accessed financial support for their credentials. More than half of all respondents paid tuition out of pocket. 

https://universitybusiness.com/non-degree-credentials-are-surging-but-the-data-is-lagging/

ASU named among the world’s best universities for graduate employability - Marshall Terrill, ASU News

Holding strong, the university retains its No. 2 ranking among US public institutions in the latest Global Employability University Ranking and Survey. Fourth-year ASU business student Mariana Torres has already held intern positions for Walmart and Google. She says ASU has helped set her up for career success post-graduation. Photo by Deanna Dent/Arizona State University. When Mariana Torres first stepped onto the campus of Arizona State University, she was stepping into uncharted territory — not just for herself but for her entire family.

https://news.asu.edu/20251030-university-news-asu-ranked-among-world-best-graduate-employability