Rockford University Business Summit touts high turnout, industry education

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – Rockford’s educators and industry leaders met Thursday at Rockford University (RU) for the chance to collaborate through education and business goals.

The turnout for the 2024 Business Summit was close to double the size of last year’s attendance, something Associate Vice President of Business Innovation Deepshikha Shukla says she’s happy about.

“The goal was to bring all of the essential stakeholders when we talk about education and workforce preparation,” Shukla said. “So that meant we invited k-12, local community college, and as the four-year institution, we were hosting it, and of course post graduate and UIC Medicine.”

Rockford University President Patricia Lynott said the second annual event was a chance to work on discussing fast-changing topics like artificial intelligence and technology.

“We need to tell Rockford more about all the great things that are happening here in medicine, in education, in industry,” Lynott says.

Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara and other area officials spoke to attendees, and local keynote speakers spoke on industry changes and information.

Shulka pointed out that there is a skill gap in the workforce right now because of the speed technology is developing and an aging workforce. However, she says RU is trying to help people now by offering certificate programs that can be “stackable credentials” for peoples’ resumes.

“In all of this endeavour, we need to ensure that whatever programming we are offering to potential workforce and current workforce are affordable, accessible and lead to positive career outcomes,” Shulka says.

Lynott said Rockford is justified in having a meeting like this because of the area’s value.

“We need to do a better job telling the world how great we are,” Lynott said. “I think that we are the best-kept secret in the upper Midwest, and we gotta get out of that secret.”

For more information on business credentials at Rockford University, visit its website.

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