While the U.S. higher education establishment continues to maintain relatively stable enrollments in spite of a wide range of challenges, the nation’s production of adequately trained technical personnel for a growing number of key jobs in industry and government continues to be inadequate. To fill this gap, states have sought to collaborate with a wide range of industries to create training programs of various kinds and duration to prepare high school graduates for careers in technical occupations sorely needed by many industries. These programs vary in intensity and organization and their funding systems reflect the widely differing conditions of their state sponsors. This talk offers a careful review of a successful program, informed by activities in other states, and highlights the key elements required for success.

Professor Emeritus, University of Massachusetts Amherst
President Emeritus, University of Florida
Former Director, The Center for Measuring University Performance, UMass Amherst-University of Florida, 2013-2021 (Annual Publication of TARU The Top American Research Universities, 2000-2020)

MA and Ph.D, Columbia University

Relevant Recent Publications

"Competing with the Best: America's Top Research Universities 2000-2020," TARU, 2020 John V. Lombardi, Craig W. Abbey, Diane E. Craig, Lynne E. Collis.

"The Unrecognized Complexity of Higher Education," Lombardi, Craig, Michael M.E. Johns, and William B. Rouse, TARU, 2019, 2020.

"Staying at the Top: An Essay on the Comparative Advantage of America's Top Research Universities," TARU, Lombardi and Craig, 2018.

"America's Research Universities: Is the Enterprise Model Sustainable?" Lombardi and Craig, (2017 (National Academy of Sciences, Arthur M. Sackler Colloquium: Modeling and Visualizing Science and Technology Developments, December 4-5, 2017; Irvine, CA) [revised and updated version published in TARU, 2018]

"Modeling Research Universities: Predicting Probable Futures of Public vs. Private and Large vs. Small Research Universities," Rouse, Lombardi, and Craig (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, (119, 2018).

Michael Gargano, Jr.'s 39-year career in higher education has focused on improving institutional performance indicators common to the field. He is the former President/CEO at St. Vincent's College in Bridgeport, CT. Mr. Gargano has served roles in public and private higher education, including serving as: Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs for the Connecticut State College and University System; Vice President for Academic, Faculty, and Student Affairs and Dean ad interim at the School of Health Professions at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio; Vice President for Student and Academic Support Services at the Louisiana State University System; Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Campus Life at the University of Massachusetts Amherst; and Associate Vice President for Student and Academic Support Services at George Washington University. Mr. Gargano currently serves as a consultant to higher education institutions and Boards of Trustees.