Michigan Business Beat | Dr. Suzy Siegle, Walsh College on Workforce Development & Higher Education

Originally uploaded September 8, reloaded September 23rd. Chris Holman welcomes back Dr. Suzy Siegel, President, Walsh College, Troy, MI. Chris had several questions for her in this conversation: Colleges are under pressure to attract students while proving the value of a degree. How can partnerships with community colleges help make higher education more flexible and affordable for students? Walsh has built partnerships with community and technology colleges that allow students to continue their education after completing their initial coursework. What makes those partnerships work, and what benefits do they create for students and employers? Businesses need employees with current, practical skills. How is Walsh working with employers to develop degree programs, certifications, and professional training that match what the workplace actually needs? With artificial intelligence and other technologies changing jobs so quickly, how can colleges stay close enough to business and industry to make sure students are learning skills that will remain valuable? There is growing pressure on higher education to demonstrate a clear return on the time and money students invest. What should colleges be doing differently to show students, families, and employers the real-world value of a degree? Dr. Siegel discusses how colleges can attract students by proving degree value and ROI. Siegel explains Walsh’s focus on business and technology programs, strong partnerships with community colleges, and a reverse-transfer model that lets students blend upper-division coursework with associate degree requirements in an affordable, flexible pathway while staying employed. She cites 95%+ employability, a career fair with 75+ employers, and ongoing curriculum updates driven by advisory boards and employer input to keep pace with AI and rapid tech change. Siegel references studies showing a college degree adds about $1M in lifetime earnings and shares Walsh’s 10-year return-on-cost figures (933% MBA, 1202% doctoral). She highlights doctoral offerings in business and technology and notes a 2024 Forbes #1 ranking for Walsh’s doctoral program. » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: X.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/