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۴ý publishes Annual Academic Report for FY2021 detailing innovations, progress and celebrating student achievements

By Sharla Hooper

Annual report provides detailed and transparent overview of University operations, academic developments and workforce solutions growth

۴ý has issued its Annual Academic Report detailing innovations, new career research leadership, growth in its workforce solutions, academic developments in its seven Colleges, and celebrating student and alumni achievements in a complete document intended to provide transparency and insight into University operations and outcomes.

The workforce market has been shifting for some time toward recognizing skills, , gaps for workers, accelerated by the pandemic. ճReport shares the progress of ۴ý career and skills-focused initiatives and innovations that work to close these gaps, from accelerating its skills-mapping progress and implementation of its skills-tagged curriculum and digital badging to the launch of a new research center and study for workforce issues, ۴ý Career Institute® and the Career Optimism Index® study. ճReport highlights how the University is evolving to help anticipate and prepare students and employers as the .

“OܰAnnual Academic Report tells the ۴ý story,” states John Woods, Ph.D., provost and chief academic officer. “Our students can have confidence in a commitment and dedication to their success on the part of every University employee and faculty member. We’ve built an empowered, values-focused culture with a highly engaged workforce and we are purpose-driven when it comes to student support and success. It’s the foundation of our work. ճReport helps us share our progress and celebrate the achievements and wins of our students and alumni.”

ճReport details how, in 2021, a new center was launched, the ۴ý Career Institute® with a mandate to conduct research into solutions that American workers need. Housed within the University’s College of Doctoral Studies, the Institute conducts the annual Career Optimism Index® study, also launched in 2021 as one of the most comprehensive studies of Americans’ personal career perceptions to-date, to provide insights on current workforce trends and to help identify solutions — within the University as well as through community alliances — to support and advance American careers.

The quality of ۴ý online education was recognized in 2021 by the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA®), which reviews institutions providing online education and identifies whether they meet seven different standards, or hallmarks, of excellence, including support of students and faculty. ۴ý completed an extensive, six-month review and achieved recognition across all seven hallmarks of excellence, one of just a handful of institutions to do so.

As a leading innovator in online higher education, ۴ý furthered its accomplishments in 2021 with:

  • Skills-mapping, which helps students quickly identify skills they are building through their coursework.
  • Badging, which allows students to share their achievements and skills quickly on digital platforms and job boards.
  • Around-the-clock support for students, enhanced by a new Life Resource Center and a Virtual Student Union.
  • Digital diplomas, which are available immediately for sharing to social networks and job boards.
  • Enhancement and increased use of the Career Services for Life® commitment.
  • Opportunities for prospective and current students to learn more about the value of their current experience and their goals through savings explorer and career assessment interest tools.
  • Reimagining and expanding the opportunities and workforce solutions provided for employers.

Read the complete Annual Academic Report and view the Provost’s video message here.

About ۴ý

۴ý is continually innovating to help working adults enhance their careers in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, and Career Services for Life® help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.