University of Phoenix Provost John Woods Featured on “Future of Education” Podcast
27 Septiembre 2024 - 11:43AM
Business Wire
Woods joins podcast to discuss the University’s
innovative skills-based curriculum designed to support working
adult learners
John Woods, Ph.D., provost and chief academic officer at
University of Phoenix, was featured on the “Future of Education”
podcast, where he shared insights into how the University is
revolutionizing education for working adults through its innovative
skills-based curriculum. The episode, released on September 15,
2024, delves into how this approach equips learners with the
practical skills needed to excel in today’s rapidly evolving
workforce.
“We’ve built a curriculum that is directly tied to in-demand
skills, making it easier for students to clearly understand what
they’re learning and how it applies to their careers,” Dr. Woods
explained during the podcast. “This transparency ensures that
students can immediately apply their knowledge, and that employers
can see the value our graduates bring to the table.”
Woods emphasized that the University of Phoenix’s skills-mapping
initiative has been a multi-year effort, integrated with a
comprehensive career tools system. This includes a platform where
students can search for jobs that match their unique skills
profiles. He highlighted that while many students return to school
aiming to improve their career prospects after graduation, the
University's approach to skills-mapping is creating opportunities
for students to gain value from their education at any stage of
their journey. "We think this changes the game," Woods stated.
"Degrees and what people learn should be far more transparent,
enabling students to earn while they learn and maybe even change
their circumstances—not just at the end, but as they go."
The “Future of Education” podcast, hosted by Michael B. Horn,
brings together education leaders to explore innovations in the
learning landscape and the ways institutions are adapting to better
serve modern students and employers. The conversation with Woods
included how University of Phoenix strategically leverages
technology, allowing students to highlight earned skills in
real-time. “What I learned in this conversation is how much
University of Phoenix is focused on providing education that is
both academically rigorous and career-relevant,” stated Horn. “As
universities nationwide look for ways to adapt to the workforce’s
rapidly changing needs, there are key lessons to be learned from
the work that institutions like the University of Phoenix are doing
to help students develop the competencies that employers are
seeking.”
Horn and Woods also discussed the University’s focus on creating
an educational experience that is flexible, practical, and aligned
with workforce needs, specifically tailored to adult learners who
balance education with professional and personal commitments.
In his role as Provost and Chief Academic Officer for University
of Phoenix, Woods leads assessment of student learning,
instructional innovation, faculty engagement, the student
experience, accreditation and institutional reporting. He is the
founding director of the University of Phoenix Career Institute®,
which annually publishes the Career Optimism Index® study, whose
insights are featured in numerous publications including Forbes and
Inc.
Prior to joining University of Phoenix, Dr. Woods served as a
dean, an adjunct faculty member at numerous institutions over the
last 25 years, and as chief academic officer for over 15 years at
other institutions serving working adult learners. He began his
career in higher education helping colleges and universities
leverage technology for instruction with the Eduprise, Collegis and
Deltak family of companies.
Woods has served as a trustee of the Worthington Educational
Foundation, a peer evaluator for the Higher Learning Commission,
and a board member with Kivuto, an educational technology company
that simplifies how schools manage and distribute digital student
resources. He is also the author of a chapter in Doing More With
Less: Making Colleges Work Better.
Woods earned a PhD in Higher Education Administration from
Bowling Green State University, where his research focused on adult
learning, training and development, and academic honesty policies
and procedures. He also holds a Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts
from Carleton University.
The full podcast episode can be accessed on YouTube.
About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance
their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world.
Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning,
skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor’s and master’s degree
programs and a Career Services for Life® commitment help students
more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while
balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit
phoenix.edu.
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Michele Mitchum University of Phoenix
michele.mitchum@phoenix.edu