The Atlas Society Presents - Objectively Speaking Who Needs College Anymore? with Kathleen deLaski
Sep 10, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Kathleen deLaski, founder of Education Design Lab and author of *Who Needs College Anymore?*, shares her insights on rethinking higher education. She highlights the challenges faced by 'new majority learners' and critiques traditional college pathways. DeLaski emphasizes innovative education models, like community colleges and apprenticeships, tailored to job market needs. Additionally, she dives into the implications of student debt on admissions and the shifting preference for skill-based hiring over traditional degrees.
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Career Pivot Sparked A Mission
- Kathleen deLaski traced her career from journalism to Sallie Mae and the Pentagon, which led her to found Education Design Lab.
- Her varied roles exposed barriers to college access and inspired her to help colleges serve broader populations.
Who The System Wasn't Built For
- New majority learners are students for whom college was not designed, including working adults and people of color.
- Colleges often 'spit out' these students because systems and schedules don't fit their lives.
Outcomes Tracking Is The Missing Piece
- Colleges currently struggle to measure whether graduates get good jobs because tracking learners after they leave is hard.
- New federal requirements to track outcomes will force colleges to reveal employment performance.
