| Historically, in the United States, there has always exist | | | | The report goes on to say that: College graduates will |
| a tension in higher education between the education of | | | | need more cross-disciplinary knowledge and an |
| the person and the achievement of specific and | | | | advanced set of communication and analytical skills to |
| pragmatic objectives. Liberal arts colleges in the United | | | | apply that knowledge to real-world problems. It also |
| States have traditionally tilted the balance in favor of | | | | urges a more thorough application of liberal education |
| educating the whole person. Character building was | | | | in American colleges and universities. |
| viewed as equal in importance to intellectual | | | | A liberal arts education will remain the most practical |
| development. The core of the liberal arts experience is | | | | preparation for lifelong employment because it |
| a commitment to the excitement of learning. | | | | promotes intellectual and personal growth; and it equips |
| While affirming the enduring value of a liberal arts | | | | the individual to cope with change by being able to |
| education, we must also be responsive to the | | | | adapt to the workplace as it continues to transform. |
| technological and social changes taking place around | | | | "The quality of learning, not the possession of a |
| us. We must be responsive to the social, political, and | | | | diploma, will determine whether the next generation |
| economic needs of our community, state, nation, and | | | | can keep our economy and democracy strong," says |
| the evolving global society. However, our most | | | | Association of American Colleges and Universities |
| effective response should be our passionate desire to | | | | President Carol G. Schneider. Ms. Schneider goes on |
| learn more about these needs and how society can | | | | to say "It's time to stop channeling students into narrow |
| most effectively respond to them. | | | | tracks that prepare them for an initial job but not for |
| We need to be mindful of the economic imperative | | | | tomorrow's challenges." |
| that change requires investment. An enormous | | | | We should agree, however, that the term "liberal arts |
| investment is currently being made in communication | | | | education" has a fuzzy meaning for many people. For |
| and information processing technology. Contemporary | | | | some, it means many required classes that get in the |
| society urgently needs to adapt to the intended and | | | | way of technical training, which some people feel is the |
| unintended consequences of that technological | | | | only way to prepare for a job. Upon closer |
| investment. | | | | observation, however, liberal arts education can be |
| During the past three decades, the work place has | | | | understood as the key to survival in any field that |
| changed more dramatically than any other time in the | | | | subject to change over time. |
| history of the United States. Today, the ability to | | | | It's true, technical training might give one the "foot in the |
| create new knowledge is quickly over shadowing the | | | | door" as an entry into the workforce, but a liberal arts |
| importance of manufacturing goods and services. | | | | education will provide the staying power, serve as a |
| As the world continues to become more complex, | | | | foundation for continuous growth and development; |
| more technological, and more competitive one issue | | | | and lead to professional success we all set our sight |
| that flows from the literature on higher education is the | | | | on. |
| increasing need for an educated workforce that can | | | | Today, more than ever, undergraduate students are |
| meet the needs of a global economy. | | | | trying to make a connection between subject and |
| A recent Department of Labor report projected that | | | | content in the educational marketplace. What students |
| eighty percent of the children beginning kindergarten will | | | | seem to value most is the ability to translate their |
| eventually enter jobs that doesn't even exist today. If | | | | undergraduate education into better employment |
| work continues to change as radically as it has in the | | | | opportunities. |
| recent past, than the question is: How do we prepare | | | | For most students, perceived or future success |
| today's students to enter the workforce and become | | | | depends on professional preparation in areas such as |
| productive citizens? | | | | law, medicine, or business. The fact that the liberal arts |
| It's obvious to many of us that we are witnessing | | | | are at the root of such disciplines is often lost on |
| radical changes in the entry-level skills required for jobs | | | | today's career minded students. As a result, students |
| as they evolve toward higher-level skills, especially the | | | | are less inclined to major in the liberal arts. |
| skills of analytical thinking, problem solving, | | | | Conclusion |
| communication, computation, and working in teams. To | | | | The shift in the economy from a manufacturing base |
| be successful in the workplace of the future, individuals | | | | to one with a knowledge foundation is having an |
| will need more than technical training. | | | | impact on higher education in significant ways. More |
| A recent report, issued by the National Leadership | | | | importantly, the basic goals and purposes of higher |
| Council for Liberal Education and America Promise | | | | education seem to be in flux. However, one constant |
| (LEAP), indicated that two-thirds of employers say | | | | remains true today colleges and universities can no |
| college graduates lack essential skills to succeed in | | | | longer afford to graduate students ill-prepared for a |
| today's global economy. | | | | persistently changing workplace and a global economy. |