Who Needs College Anymore with Kathleen deLaski

Who needs college anymore? What should higher education look like in an era of rapid change, AI, and evolving workforce demands?In this episode of Uncharted State, Susan Seal, Sean Owen, and Maddie Ludt sit down with Kathleen deLaski, founder of Education Design Lab and author of Who Needs College Anymore? Imagining a Future Where Degrees Won’t Matter. Together, they explore why degrees still matter for some learners, why they don’t for many others, and what must change to create meaningful, trusted pathways beyond the traditional four-year model.Drawing on years of research, real learner stories, and national workforce data, deLaski challenges the “college for all” narrative while making a compelling case for short-term credentials, micro-pathways, employer-aligned learning, and the human skills that AI can’t replace.In This Episode:Who the “new majority learner” is and why higher ed wasn’t designed for themWhy affordability and relevance keep millions from completing degreesThe rise of short-term credentials, apprenticeships, and stackable pathwaysHow employers, colleges, and states can build trust in alternative credentialsCredit for prior learning, skills transcripts, and work-based experienceWhy critical thinking, problem-solving, and empathy matter more than everHow universities can balance workforce outcomes with the public goodLearning no longer follows a single path. This episode offers a deep exploration of how education, work, and lifelong learning must weave together to better serve learners and society.📘 Learn more about the book or purchase a copy:https://www.whoneedscollegeanymore.org