Office of the President

Anticipating the Workforce Needs of Tomorrow, Today 

Dr. Marsha Danielson, President, Minnesota State College Southeast 

I recently went back to high school -- to get a glimpse of the future.   

Last month, Red Wing Public Schools announced its Flight Path 2030 initiative at a public forum held at Red Wing High School. At the event, Superintendent Bob Jaszczak outlined the district’s five-year plan to create a system of learning that acknowledges the importance of using data and artificial intelligence responsibly. 
 
As Superintendent Jaszczak said at the forum, this knowledge “will be as essential as “reading, math, science and other traditional learning areas.”  
 
The Red Wing Public School District is preparing its students for a world where data and technical understanding will be an underpinning of so many facets of society. Understanding technology and how to appropriately use it will be a key workforce skill.  

That presentation got me thinking about my high school days. I can recall a world where Atari video games, Walkman (portable music), scientific calculators, and video cassette recorders (VCR’s) were cutting-edge technologies. Having a fundamental understanding of AI was not a requirement for earning my diploma. I’m guessing that’s true for many of you.  

It’s hard to imagine what will supplant today’s smartphones and TVs, streaming services, and wearable fitness tech, but I’m certain someone is already dreaming it up.  

It’s this relentless drumbeat of innovation and change that requires all of us to be lifelong learners.   

During times of upheaval and uncertainty, many adults will find themselves returning to college or pursuing a certification or credential to upskill or reskill, to remain competitive in their profession.   

Brandon Lamberson, a current Southeast radiography student, is a classic example. Brandon earned a bachelor’s degree, but based on his professional journey, recently returned to college at Southeast, so he can pursue a different career path in healthcare. He doesn’t need another degree, but he does need specific knowledge and skills so he can embark on this next chapter in his career.  

This is one of the reasons Southeast has advisory boards made up of representatives from local business and industry, to ensure our courses and curriculum remain relevant, and we are producing graduates who are industry-ready.  

 
Brandon, a native of Winona, said one of the reasons he chose Southeast was because of the positive reputation of our radiography program.  

Adult learners, looking to add to their knowledge base or expand their skill set, will become an increasing percentage of our Southeast student population.   

Last year, Minnesota employers in the manufacturing, mining, pharmaceutical and retail sectors all announced layoffs. Economists and the Federal Reserve are anticipating the economy to continue to slow down in 2026, which could lead to more unemployment.  
 
Historically, economic downturns lead more people to step out of the workforce and return to college, to improve their marketability and earning potential.  

When they make that decision, these adult learners want to have confidence that they can earn the additional credentials in as short a time as possible, and that the new knowledge they gain is relevant.  

That’s in part why all of our programs undergo a routine program review. External reviewers evaluate the curriculum and effectiveness of what we are teaching, assess our performance, and recommend improvements. Are we producing graduates with the knowledge and experience to make an immediate impact in the workplace and the community?  

Our auto body and collision program just completed a program evaluation and successfully renewed its accreditation -- another way our adult learners can be confident in the quality of our educational offerings.  

Just like the Red Wing 2030 Flight Path, we too have an obligation to prepare students for the workforce and society of tomorrow.  

Gazing into the crystal ball, it’s anyone’s guess what the Class of 2080 will be expected to know, but I’m optimistic that regardless of the technological changes ahead, Southeast will continue to be innovating to meet and support the needs of learners of all ages, now, and well into the future.