Picture a sellout crowd of 12,000-plus rooting for the Bearcats at Fifth Third Arena.
Now imagine another 500 or so packed into Memorial Hall in Over-the-Rhine. Put those two impressive crowds together in your mind. You now have a grasp of the sheer number of graduates the University of Cincinnati sends into the workforce year after year.
As a university, there is no more valuable contribution we can make to society and the economy than that of a freshly minted, career-ready college graduate who is prepared to drive impact in the workplace. In nearly every conversation I have with CEOs and business leaders, one message is clear: They need a steady pipeline of talent.
If America's economy is driven by human capital, then its fuel is the knowledge these talented individuals gain - through traditional higher education, yes, but also through workforce development programs, technical training and, of course, real-world experience. My point? Education and lifelong learning are as essential as ever to both powering the economic engine and driving personal growth.