Dr. Sunny Cooke and Dr. Wendy Stewart from MiraCosta College discuss future-focused education, including innovative AI and biomanufacturing degrees. They highlight the importance of equity, signal exploration in construction and food sustainability, and building a culture of futures thinking in community colleges.
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Quick takeaways
Mira Costa College offers innovative programs in biomanufacturing and AI to meet future job market needs.
The college prioritizes an equitable approach to support the diverse needs of its student population, emphasizing foresight and future thinking.
Deep dives
Embracing Foresight at Mira Costa College
Mira Costa College, celebrating its 90th anniversary, is shaping into a future-ready public community college. With a student population of around 27,000, the college focuses on serving diverse backgrounds, including many first-generation students needing financial assistance. The institution pioneers offering bachelor's degrees, including programs like biomanufacturing and artificial intelligence, preparing students for emerging fields. It prides itself on providing necessary support for students along their educational journeys.
Innovative Degrees and Equitable Approach
Mira Costa College stands out for its innovative degree programs, such as biomanufacturing and artificial intelligence, responding to the future job market's demands. Driven by foresight and futures thinking, the college ensures an equitable approach to cater to the diverse needs of its predominantly Latinx and students of color population. The focus is not just on adapting to current careers but preparing students for the rapidly evolving working world.
Agency in Future Readiness
The college's engagement in futures thinking empowers individuals to take agency in understanding and navigating potential future scenarios. Through insightful discussion and scenario planning, including growth, collapse, transformation, and constraint models, Mira Costa College strategically prioritizes actions and resources needed to adapt and thrive in various foreseeable futures. The emphasis on long-term capacity building fosters a culture of continuous readiness and adaptability.
Commitment to Capacity Building and Community Engagement
Driven by a commitment to innovation and long-term success, leadership at Mira Costa College emphasizes the importance of fostering a community that collectively embraces future-focused thinking. By investing in training programs, scenario building, and ongoing dialogues, the institution promotes a culture of foresight and strategic planning. Building internal and external partnerships enhances the college's preparedness for potential future challenges and opportunities.
IFTF Executive Director Marina Gorbis talks with Dr. Sunita “Sunny” Cooke, President of MiraCosta College, and Dr. Wendy Stewart, the college's Chief Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility Officer. They discuss how this institution serving North San Diego County in California has embraced foresight and futures thinking to become a future-ready public community college. The conversation explores MiraCosta's innovative degree programs designed to prepare students for emerging fields like generative AI, and the importance the college places on taking an equitable approach to meet the diverse needs of tomorrow's students.
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