Liberal Education: A Portal to Participation in the Global Economy

Abstract: Among policy makers and the general public, debates about higher education currently swirl around the topics of access, completion and success (graduation rates), which are sometimes disguised under the headings of “value” and “quality.” Members of the higher education community, however, know there is much more to say about the quality of undergraduate education and, in particular, about the value of liberal education for today’s college students.In 2005, the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) launched a national initiative called Liberal Education and America’s Promise (LEAP) to champion the importance of a 21st century liberal education for individual students and for a nation dependent on economic creativity and democratic vitality. LEAP challenges the traditional practice of providing a liberal education to some students and narrowing training to others.

Keywords: Career Development - Higher Education Brief