(From Bowling Green State University)
Bowling Green State University recently was selected as one of only eight universities nationwide and the only one in the Midwest to address an urgent need in higher education – ensuring that what students learn in the classroom directly translates to emerging workplace needs.
BGSU is joining the first-ever National Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Accelerator, building on its existing strengths in career preparation – including its No. 1 ranking for career prep among all universities in Ohio and the innovative work of the Kuhlin Hub for Career Design and Connections to redefine student success and outcomes.
The WIL Accelerator is a bold new initiative from Arizona State University designed to connect students with industry partners. It supports real-world projects and simulations, allowing students to apply their skills in practical, impactful ways and bridge the gap between their education and workforce readiness.
“Bowling Green State University has long been a leader in work-based learning, establishing co-op programs nearly 60 years ago, and work-integrated learning is the next innovative step in elevating student learning, experiences and opportunities for the 21st century,” said BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers. “Bowling Green is uniquely positioned to continue to lead in this area – not only in Ohio, but the nation – with a proven ability of implementing transformational programs and bringing them to scale university-wide. We look forward to working across higher education and industry on this initiative as we collectively strengthen the role of higher education to drive innovation and economic vitality, driving relevancy and impact across the nation’s entire educational ecosystem.”
“At JPMorganChase, we are committed to expanding access to work-based learning opportunities that prepare students for the demands of today’s workforce,” said Rudy Bentlage, co-chair of JPMorganChase Ohio Market Leadership Team. “We are proud to support Arizona State University’s National Work-Integrated Learning Accelerator, which connects classroom learning with real-world industry challenges. By participating in this initiative, Bowling Green State University is empowering students to build meaningful career pathways and strengthening Ohio’s economic future.”
The WIL Accelerator initiative is supported by JPMorganChase and Strada Education Foundation. The accelerator aims to bring together higher education institutions, employers and education-technology startups to codesign and pilot innovative work-integrated learning models.
As an inaugural member of the accelerator initiative, BGSU will work to build a sustainable framework of company-to-classroom partnerships that allow students to develop solutions for industry while also helping those companies meet short-term needs.
The firsthand experience of working on projects for regional, statewide and national organizations reinforces the skills students learn in the classroom and provides a competitive edge as they seek internships and full-time careers.
Dr. Gabe Dunbar, senior director of career design in the Kuhlin Career Hub, said work-integrated learning also promotes a more equitable learning environment, broadening opportunities across campus for students to prototype their careers and build a portfolio of relevant work experience.
“Aside from the firsthand experience our students gain through work-integrated learning, they’re also building confidence, learning durable skills that employers demand and are expanding their professional networks, all of which can open the door to more opportunities,” Dunbar said.
BGSU already has a strong pipeline of regional and national industry partners, with more than a dozen that engage with the University at its highest gold-tier level, that can help support its efforts in introducing meaningful work-based projects into the classroom.
BGSU plans to develop work-integrated learning strategies during Fall 2025 with help from faculty, staff and students across the learning community with the goal of piloting projects starting in Spring 2026.
This initiative is led with support from a core implementation team consisting of Steve Russell, associate vice president, corporate partnerships, Adrienne Ausdenmoore, assistant vice president and executive director of the Geoffrey H. Radbill Center for College and Life Design, Dr. Jolie Sheffer, associate dean in the College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Margo Kammeyer, manager of project management in the Office of the Chief Information Officer, and Dunbar, senior director of career design in the Kuhlin Career Hub.