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0:00 Hi, I'm Dr. John Woods, provost 0:03 and Chief Academic Officer at ���۴�ý. 0:06 Here we know firsthand through our work 0:09 with diverse adult student populations 0:11 and with employers 0:13 that the career landscape is rapidly changing and evolving. 0:17 While our own research 0:18 through the Career Optimism Index shows that the majority 0:21 of American workers remain hopeful about their careers, 0:25 the tumult of the past several years has created a myriad 0:28 of unprecedented challenges 0:30 for the American workers path towards career advancement, 0:34 and particularly for those who face systemic barriers. 0:38 At ���۴�ý, we have served the adult learner 0:41 for almost 50 years, helping to ignite their human potential 0:45 by building bridges to opportunity. 0:48 This is why in March, 2021, we announced the launch 0:52 of the ���۴�ý Career Institute. Housed within 0:56 our College of Doctoral studies, 0:58 The institute focuses on research to inform problem solving 1:01 around the workplace and career challenges, 1:05 and to forge partnerships with others who seek 1:07 to break down the barriers 1:09 and obstacles Americans face in their careers. 1:12 The Institute's mission is guided 1:14 by the findings from our annual Career Optimism Index, 1:17 the most comprehensive study of its kind 1:20 that identifies career barriers so that institutions know 1:24 how to solve for these. 1:26 And these insights inform our partnerships, allowing us 1:29 to develop cross industry strategies 1:31 to help strengthen the American workforce. 1:34 So why create the Career Institute? 1:36 Because the complex challenges facing American workers today 1:40 require complex solutions. 1:43 While there is much to be optimistic about, 1:45 there is still work to be done to address the skills gap, 1:48 a lack of mentorship opportunities, financial pressures, 1:52 and mental health challenges plaguing the 1:55 American workforce. 1:57 While we work to help students 1:58 with these challenges every day, 2:00 the Career Institute will help us leverage our own expertise 2:04 as a university committed 2:05 to helping working adult students achieve their education 2:08 and career goals while connecting with like-minded partners 2:13 to scale potential solutions to barriers they may face. 2:17 Thank you for your interest in the University 2:19 of ���۴�ý Career Institute. 2:21 We look forward to keeping you informed 2:23 and engaged in what we learned about barriers 2:26 to career success through research 2:29 and how we can work together to help remove these obstacles 2:32 and help foster career success for all. 2:36 Be well.