This year’s cohort includes twelve colleges from across the country, each representing a wide range of career pathways and emerging technologies:

• Central Carolina Community College – Sanford, NC
• City Colleges of Chicago – Chicago, IL
• Foothill College – Los Altos Hills, CA
• Green River College – Auburn, WA
• Hocking Technical College – Nelsonville, OH
• Kansas City Kansas Community College – CTE Division – Kansas City, KS
• Los Angeles Valley College – Valley Glen, CA
• Palm Beach State College – Boca Raton, FL
• Pitt Community College – Greenville, NC
• Stanly Community College – Albemarle, NC
• Tarrant County College – Northwest Campus – Fort Worth, TX
• Tompkins Cortland Community College – Dryden, NY

Each institution will work closely with CORD and industry partners to implement the Business & Industry Leadership Team (BILT) model—a proven framework for employer-led program improvement. Over the course of the year, participants will engage in structured training, peer learning, and hands-on practice to strengthen their programs and build lasting industry relationships.

“The BILT model equips colleges to become more responsive and agile in the face of rapidly changing workforce demands,” said Ann Beheler, Director of Innovation at CORD. “Cohort 6 represents some of the most forward-thinking programs in the country, and we’re excited to support their journey.”

Now in its fifth year, the BILT Academy continues to grow a national community of educators committed to employer-informed curriculum design, ensuring students graduate with the skills they need to thrive in high-demand fields.

To learn more about the BILT Academy, visit: www.pathwaystoinnovation.org

Contact: Elizabeth Ahlers, Director of Outreach and Communications

Email: ahlers@cord.org | Phone: 254-741 8304 ext 304

Date: May 12, 2025

PRESS RELEASE: Word / PDF

The post CORD Announces BILT Academy Cohort 6: Colleges Leading the Way in Employer Engagement first appeared on CORD.

Dr. Parker’s career spans key milestones, from her early days on the General Motors assembly line to her leadership as president of South Central College (SCC) in Mankato, Minnesota. Under her direction, SCC has expanded workforce-focused programs, such as stackable credentials and competency-based education, equipping students for success in fast-evolving industries. Dr. Parker also emphasizes her role in shaping national workforce policy and fostering robust industry-education partnerships, particularly through her work in establishing the BILT (Business and Industry Leadership Team), a CORD initiative aimed at aligning educational programs with the needs of employers by facilitating collaboration between educators and industry leaders.

You really need to create a shared vision for the work that would be accomplished. And you need to help everyone—whether they’re in business, industry, government, or education—see themselves within that vision. It takes time to really build that trust.
Dr. Annette Parker, Chair of the CORD Board

Parker’s leadership extends beyond the college’s campus. She has been instrumental in shaping national policies related to workforce development, having served on President Obama’s Advanced Manufacturing Steering Committee. Her work in industry-education partnerships has set a model for aligning academic programs with the needs of the workforce.
As she prepares for her upcoming retirement, Parker reflects on her career’s legacy and her commitment to mentoring future leaders.

To hear more about Dr. Parker’s insights and leadership in workforce development, listen to her full interview on the IngenioUs podcast.

The post Dr. Annette Parker, CORD Board Chair, Featured on IngenioUs Podcast, Shares Career Journey and Vision for Workforce Development first appeared on CORD.

The BILT Academy is a free, 11-month professional development experience that equips participants with the tools and strategies to move from traditional advisory boards to co-led, high-impact employer partnerships. Through cohort-based learning and one-on-one coaching, participants gain practical guidance on aligning their programs with workforce demands and building meaningful, sustainable relationships with industry leaders.

“The BILT Academy empowers colleges to make employer engagement a shared, ongoing process—not a one-time event,” said Ann Beheler, Director of Innovation, CORD; and PI, Pathways to Innovation project. “Participants walk away with strategies that lead to more relevant curriculum, stronger programs, and students who are better prepared for the careers of today and tomorrow.”

Cohort 6 of the BILT Academy will run from May 2025 to April 2026 and will include:

• Hands-on support from experienced BILT coaches
• Collaborative sessions with a national cohort of peers
• Technical assistance based on NSF’s ATE capacity-building resources
• Practical tools to engage employers in co-leadership for curriculum development

Applications are now open, and space is limited.

To learn more or apply, visit https://www.pathwaystoinnovation.org/bilt-academy/.

PRESS RELEASE: Word / PDF

The post CORD Announces Applications Open for BILT Academy Cohort 6 first appeared on CORD.

Dr. Parker’s career spans key milestones, from her early days on the General Motors assembly line to her leadership as president of South Central College (SCC) in Mankato, Minnesota. Under her direction, SCC has expanded workforce-focused programs, such as stackable credentials and competency-based education, equipping students for success in fast-evolving industries. Dr. Parker also emphasizes her role in shaping national workforce policy and fostering robust industry-education partnerships, particularly through her work in establishing the BILT (Business and Industry Leadership Team), a CORD initiative aimed at aligning educational programs with the needs of employers by facilitating collaboration between educators and industry leaders.

Parker’s leadership extends beyond the college’s campus. She has been instrumental in shaping national policies related to workforce development, having served on President Obama’s Advanced Manufacturing Steering Committee. Her work in industry-education partnerships has set a model for aligning academic programs with the needs of the workforce.
As she prepares for her upcoming retirement, Parker reflects on her career’s legacy and her commitment to mentoring future leaders.

To hear more about Dr. Parker’s insights and leadership in workforce development, listen to her full interview on the IngenioUs podcast.

You really need to create a shared vision for the work that would be accomplished. And you need to help everyone—whether they’re in business, industry, government, or education—see themselves within that vision. It takes time to really build that trust.
Dr. Annette Parker, Chair of the CORD Board

The post Dr. Annette Parker, CORD Board Chair, Featured on IngenioUs Podcast, Shares Career Journey and Vision for Workforce Development first appeared on CORD.

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The post Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart to Keynote at NCPN CONNECT 2025 first appeared on CORD.

The study, led by Central Carolina Community College, addresses the significant growth in bioprocess manufacturing and the resulting demand for skilled technicians. By implementing the BILT model, the college actively engaged industry partners to identify and prioritize the essential KSAs for entry-level bioprocess technician roles. This collaboration enabled faculty to adjust course content, ensuring that graduates possess the competencies most valued by employers.

The BILT model distinguishes itself by involving industry professionals as co-leaders in the educational process, fostering a dynamic partnership that keeps academic programs responsive to evolving workforce needs. This proactive approach not only benefits students and educators but also provides employers with a pipeline of job-ready graduates equipped to meet current and future industry challenges.

What is the BILT Model?

The BILT model, developed by Ann Beheler, Director of Innovation at CORD, reshapes how education and industry collaborate. Unlike traditional advisory boards, the BILT model makes industry partners co-leaders in curriculum development. This continuous engagement ensures that educational programs remain responsive to the rapidly changing needs of the labor market.

About JATE

The Journal of Advanced Technological Education (JATE) is a peer-reviewed academic journal dedicated to publishing research and studies focused on improving education in advanced technology fields. It serves as a platform for educators, researchers, and industry leaders to share best practices, innovative models, and insights that enhance workforce readiness and academic programs in STEM and related disciplines. The JATE is housed within the Micro Nano Technology Education Center (MNT-EC) at Pasadena City College. It is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under the Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program.

For more information about the BILT model and CORD’s initiatives, visit cord.org. To read the full article, visit the Journal of Advanced Technological Education.

The post Journal of ATE Article Highlights BILT Model’s Role in Aligning Bioprocessing Education with Workforce Needs first appeared on CORD.

• CORD’s sustainable approach to developing career pathways that meet workforce demands and support learner growth
• Strategies for leveraging employer and faculty expertise to drive innovation and ensure students are workforce-ready
• Creating and aligning seamless pathways of stackable credentials, giving learners of all ages and skill levels practical building blocks for in-demand skills, employment opportunities, and career advancement
• Efficient program design that accommodates the needs of learners and accelerates credential completion by removing barriers and surrounding students with holistic supports.

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Throughout her career, Dr. Coons has held several key leadership roles, including Vice President of Strategic Alliances and Innovation, Vice President of Workforce, and Provost. At Harper College, she was instrumental in developing strategic partnerships and delivering programs in high-growth sectors, contributing to the college’s mission of fostering innovation and workforce development.

Notably, Dr. Coons played a significant role in national efforts to address talent pipeline challenges. She served on the Operating Committee for the White House’s Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (AMP 2.0), where she helped tackle pressing workforce issues in the manufacturing sector. Her visionary approach to strategic alliances has been pivotal in addressing skills gaps and creating opportunities for growth and innovation.

Before assuming senior leadership roles, Dr. Coons was a tenured full-time faculty member and department chair, where she taught management, marketing, and finance. She also developed the successful Fast Track program, which offers cohort-based learning tailored for adult students.

In 2018, Crain’s Chicago Business recognized Dr. Coons as one of Chicago’s Notable Women in Education, a testament to her dedication and impact on higher education.

We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Coons to CORD, where her expertise and passion for innovation and workforce development will play a crucial role in advancing our mission to prepare the next generation for the future of work.

The post CORD Welcomes New Leadership Team Member first appeared on CORD.