Rising tuition costs, a shifting job market, and the rapid emergence of generative AI have sparked growing uncertainty about the long-term value of a college degree. An erosion of trust in higher education is especially concerning for first-generation and low-income students, who face the greatest barriers to entry and hold the greatest potential for economic mobility. At Brooklyn College, we are working hard to connect our students’ academic learning to internships and employment opportunities. Faculty, administrators, and industry leaders are working together to ensure our students graduate with the skills, networks, and experience needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving economy. In this issue of the alumni magazine, you will meet a few of the people bringing this vision to life. Brooklyn College is working to become a preeminent hiring school across industries, delivering on the promise of opportunity and readiness for the jobs of tomorrow. It’s a theme explored in an op-ed I recently co-authored with Aon Executive Vice President Aaron K. Olson: Economic Mobility in the Age of AI: What Colleges Must Do Now. Thank you for being part of the Brooklyn College community as we respond to the changes in higher education. Your continued support helps us fulfill our unwavering mission while we prepare our talented students to step into the future with confidence. Onwards, Michelle J. Anderson
