Focusing educational programs on climate crisis

When working with certificate and degree programs, we are committed to assisting teachers, faculty, and educational leaders in focusing on key future trends to guide the evolution and investment in curricula, instructional design, partnerships, and recruitment strategies. Our "anticipatory approach" to program review and evaluation not only fosters optimism and stimulates innovation but also enhances the quality of our shared vision.

Many programs face challenges in these areas, necessitating ongoing dedication and strategic focus. Our Program Review process has revealed some surprising and promising futures for numerous educational programs.

Traditionally, our focus has included critical areas such as:

- Society & Culture
- Workforce & Economy
- Sector-specific Technology

However, during the summer of 2024, inspired by the rising temperatures, our latest readings, and several impactful workshops, we have expanded our focus to include the imminent impact of climate change.

The global climate crisis will have universal implications, affecting every individual and industry. It is imperative that our future workforce and leaders are equipped with the necessary skills, knowledge, and competencies to thrive. Failing to prepare today’s students for a future significantly influenced by climate change would represent a substantial oversight for both K-12 and higher education sectors.

The Futures Research team is pioneering a "Hot Futures" review process for educational programs. This initiative reimagines key elements such as curricula, instructional design, partnerships, and recruitment strategies, emphasizing the pervasive impacts of a warming planet.