Ellen Beaulieu gives leadership presentation at the Annual Northeast Regional Computing Conference

Ellen Beaulieu, Ed.D., vice-president of Strategic Initiatives, discussed UNE’s success in adapting to serve future students at the annual Northeast Regional Computing Program (NERCOMP) conference, held March 21-23 in Providence, Rhode Island. The presentation, titled “From Today to 2020: The Changing Landscape of Higher Education,” was also led by Daniel Gregory of Northeastern University’s Center for Entrepreneurship Education and Dr. Terri-Lynn Thayer of Garnter, Inc.

Beaulieu, Gregory and Thayer explored the concept of the fluid university and discussed ways to collaborate with organizations outside higher education. In rapidly evolving educational and economic landscapes, they stated, it is essential that colleges and universities design programs that serve the needs of the contemporary learner. These programs, when designed in cooperation with employers, build much-needed workforce capacity. Beaulieu shared UNE’s experience in expanding an entrepreneurial culture that works in partnership with businesses.

UNE was selected to present at the conference as a result of innovative, successful new models education, such as the Bangor Savings Bank initiative and Gates-funded CBE program in Health Informatics. Discussing these new partnerships, Beaulieu said, “UNE is continuing to lead and learn in this interesting space. Our corporate partners are embracing the role of UNE working with them to shape the future workforce with intense collaboration.”