Who Needs College Anymore?: Imagining a Future Where Degrees Won’t Matter (Work and Learning Series)

Book info: Who Needs College Anymore?: Imagining a Future Where Degrees Won’t Matter (Work and Learning Series) (Kindle, 272 pages) – Harvard Education Press, 2025. Language: English.

Rethinking the journey: preparing every student for life beyond high school

Who Needs College Anymore? by Kathleen deLaski challenges educators to rethink what postsecondary education can look like for today’s diverse, next-generation learners. Drawing from a decade of research and insightful interviews, the book offers an optimistic yet practical roadmap for helping students thrive―whether through traditional degrees, skills-based training, or alternative credentials.

• Expands the Definition of Success: Encourages educators to recognize and validate a range of postsecondary pathways―including degrees, certifications, apprenticeships, and career-focused learning.
• Focuses on Equity: Addresses the unique needs of new-majority learners―first-generation students, people of color, low-income backgrounds, and more―and how educators can better support them.
• Provides Practical Principles: Shares ten actionable, research-based strategies that educators can apply to increase student engagement and preparedness for the workforce.
• Promotes User-Centered Innovation: Utilizes human-centered design to reimagine educational systems based on real student experiences and feedback. 

Empower your students with more choices and better outcomes. Read Who Needs College Anymore? to reimagine the future of education and discover practical strategies you can implement now to support every learner’s journey.