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Dr. Barbara Ritter, dean of the Davis College of Business and Technology at Jacksonville University, took center stage as a top panelist at the JBJ Economic Outlook event Jan. 21 at the WJCT Soundstage. The gathering brought together influential leaders and experts to discuss key trends shaping the region鈥檚 economic landscape. Dr. Ritter鈥檚 insights, drawn from her extensive experience in higher education and leadership, added a compelling perspective to the discussion.

During the panel, Dr. Ritter addressed the pressing challenges facing the higher education sector today. She emphasized the importance of agility and adaptability in institutions, highlighting that staying relevant in an ever-changing world requires a proactive approach. She underscored the need for academic programs and workforce development initiatives to align with evolving industry demands, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for the complexities of the modern job market.

鈥淎t 杏吧, we鈥檙e aligning education with industry needs at the intersection of health care, business and technology to ensure our graduates are ready for the workforce and driving its future,鈥� said President Tim Cost. 鈥淲e consider this our commitment to employers and the business community.鈥�

One of Dr. Ritter鈥檚 key takeaways was her call for businesses and organizations in Jacksonville to focus on their future talent needs. She noted that while Jacksonville鈥檚 economy is currently robust, long-term success hinges on strategic planning and investment in workforce readiness. Her statement, 鈥淛ax is strong, but start thinking about your future talent needs,鈥� served as a call for collaboration between educational institutions and local industries to build a pipeline of skilled professionals.

鈥淲e appreciate the recognition on the global stage in areas determined to be most important by world-class organizations: for our commitments to student success, strong post-graduate earnings, academic quality, flexible offerings, economic diversity and affordability,鈥� Cost said. 鈥淲hether it鈥檚 our recent selection onto the Forbes Top 500 Colleges list, or U.S. News & World Report鈥檚 Best Regional Universities, or CEO Magazine鈥檚 Tier One global MBA ranking for our Davis College of Business and Technology, or Jacksonville Business Journal鈥檚 鈥楤est Places to Work,鈥� we鈥檙e earning recognition for how we prepare our students for life after college.鈥�

Dr. Ritter鈥檚 participation in the JBJ Economic Outlook panel underscores her commitment to fostering innovation and excellence within the Davis College of Business and Technology and beyond. Her thought leadership continues to shape critical conversations around education, economic growth and the future of work, making her a vital voice in the Jacksonville community.