NASHVILLE — From rising tuition to curriculum innovation to partnerships with business, Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney A. McPhee joined three other higher education leaders Wednesday in discussing these and other issues related to better preparing students for today’s workforce.The Nashville Business Journal hosted the panel entitled “Nashville Ahead: A discussion on higher education and workforce readiness.”

Moderated by Nashville Business Journal Publisher Kate Herman, the luncheon panel at the Omni Nashville Hotel was attended by a variety of area business leaders. Joining McPhee on the panel was Joe DiPietro, president of the University of Tennessee-Knoxville; Kimberly Estep, chancellor of Western Governors University Tennessee; and Jerry L. Faulkner, president of Volunteer State Community College.

The panelists agreed that the state’s higher education institutions must develop strategies to combat rising tuition costs, must adapt curriculums to equip students with the “soft skills” needed to achieve lasting career success while also stressing to state lawmakers the need to make higher education a top priority.

Read the full story at http://www.mtsunews.com/mcphee-higher-ed-panel.