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Advancing Public Purposes

From Humanities to Hired: Workforce-Ready Skills for Community College Students

Thursday, January 22, 2026
2:00 PM - 3:15 PM East Coast USA Time
Location: Howard University - Level M1

    Primary Presenter(s)

  • Pam Eddinger

    President
    Bunker Hill Community College, United States

    • Co-Presenter(s)

  • Nicole Evans

    Program Director
    Northern Virginia Community College, United States

  • Soo Park

    Dean of Humanities and Learning Communities
    Bunker Hill Community College, United States

  • Molly Phelps

    Director, Humanities to Career
    Bunker Hill Community College

    PDF
Improving career preparation for humanities and liberal arts (HLA) students at community colleges has become increasingly imperative, given persistent challenges such as low degree completion rates and inadequate workforce readiness. As the labor market evolves in response to advances in artificial intelligence (AI), the value of the durable skills (e.g., critical thinking, communication, and ethical reasoning) fostered in HLA disciplines is becoming more pronounced, with employers actively seeking graduates equipped with these essential competencies.

The Humanities to Career Program at Bunker Hill Community College and Northern Virginia Community College enhances career prospects for HLA majors. Join program leaders to explore strategies that connect humanities and liberal arts education with workforce needs, focusing on an employer- and faculty-driven initiative.