Woods joins podcast to discuss the University’s innovative skills-based curriculum designed to support working adult learners

John Woods, Ph.D., provost and chief academic officer at University of Phoenix, was featured on the “Future of Education” podcast, where he shared insights into how the University is revolutionizing education for working adults through its innovative skills-based curriculum. The episode, released on September 15, 2024, delves into how this approach equips learners with the practical skills needed to excel in today’s rapidly evolving workforce.

“We’ve built a curriculum that is directly tied to in-demand skills, making it easier for students to clearly understand what they’re learning and how it applies to their careers,” Dr. Woods explained during the podcast. “This transparency ensures that students can immediately apply their knowledge, and that employers can see the value our graduates bring to the table.”

Woods emphasized that the University of Phoenix’s skills-mapping initiative has been a multi-year effort, integrated with a comprehensive career tools system. This includes a platform where students can search for jobs that match their unique skills profiles. He highlighted that while many students return to school aiming to improve their career prospects after graduation, the University's approach to skills-mapping is creating opportunities for students to gain value from their education at any stage of their journey. "We think this changes the game," Woods stated. "Degrees and what people learn should be far more transparent, enabling students to earn while they learn and maybe even change their circumstances—not just at the end, but as they go."

The “Future of Education” podcast, hosted by Michael B. Horn, brings together education leaders to explore innovations in the learning landscape and the ways institutions are adapting to better serve modern students and employers. The conversation with Woods included how University of Phoenix strategically leverages technology, allowing students to highlight earned skills in real-time. “What I learned in this conversation is how much University of Phoenix is focused on providing education that is both academically rigorous and career-relevant,” stated Horn. “As universities nationwide look for ways to adapt to the workforce’s rapidly changing needs, there are key lessons to be learned from the work that institutions like the University of Phoenix are doing to help students develop the competencies that employers are seeking.”

Horn and Woods also discussed the University’s focus on creating an educational experience that is flexible, practical, and aligned with workforce needs, specifically tailored to adult learners who balance education with professional and personal commitments.

In his role as Provost and Chief Academic Officer for University of Phoenix, Woods leads assessment of student learning, instructional innovation, faculty engagement, the student experience, accreditation and institutional reporting. He is the founding director of the University of Phoenix Career Institute®, which annually publishes the Career Optimism Index® study, whose insights are featured in numerous publications including Forbes and Inc.

Prior to joining University of Phoenix, Dr. Woods served as a dean, an adjunct faculty member at numerous institutions over the last 25 years, and as chief academic officer for over 15 years at other institutions serving working adult learners. He began his career in higher education helping colleges and universities leverage technology for instruction with the Eduprise, Collegis and Deltak family of companies.

Woods has served as a trustee of the Worthington Educational Foundation, a peer evaluator for the Higher Learning Commission, and a board member with Kivuto, an educational technology company that simplifies how schools manage and distribute digital student resources. He is also the author of a chapter in Doing More With Less: Making Colleges Work Better.

Woods earned a PhD in Higher Education Administration from Bowling Green State University, where his research focused on adult learning, training and development, and academic honesty policies and procedures. He also holds a Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts from Carleton University.

The full podcast episode can be accessed on YouTube.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and a Career Services for Life® commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.

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