As Miami continues to experience rapid growth, Barry University President Dr. Mike Allen is calling attention to the critical role higher education plays in building and retaining the region’s workforce.

In a recent Miami Herald op-ed, the president explores the opportunities and challenges created by Miami’s economic growth, including rising costs that can make earning a college degree increasingly difficult for local families.

The op-ed calls for stronger connections between higher education and the workforce through paid internships, apprenticeships, co-op placements, industry partnerships and career-focused coursework. These opportunities can give students valuable real-world experience while helping employers connect with emerging talent and contribute to curricula and learning experiences that reflect the needs of a changing workforce.

President Allen emphasizes scholarships, tuition assistance and completion grants as key ways employers can help students stay enrolled and earn their degrees. “The single most powerful thing an employer can do is help close that gap,” he said.

Looking ahead, Dr. Allen calls for continued investment in partnerships, experiential learning and the integration of AI across academic disciplines. As Miami continues to grow, the op-ed emphasizes that investing in higher education is an investment in the talent, innovation and workforce that will help strengthen the region’s future.

Read the full op-ed in the Miami Herald.