Industry is often asked “How do I best prepare my students?” by Academia.

In this new short form talk style, CMC looks to provide insight in some crucial areas of Workplace Readiness.

Topics covered:
• Workplace priority shifts: How GenZ is changing the workplace
• Future-Proof Skills for New Grads: Quick Curriculum Tips
o Communication Edition
o Digital Skills Edition
o Teamwork Edition

Speakers:
Kaitlin Tyler, Ansys part of Synopsys
Kaitlin Tyler is currently a Staff Engineer in the Academic Program at Ansys part of Synopsys. Her role focuses on (1) supporting the usage of Ansys tools in academia, with an emphasis on materials teaching and pre-university engagement and (2) leading for the Ansys Academic Content Development Program, which focuses on developing instructional content to support integration of Ansys tools in curriculum. Her background is in materials science, with a PhD in the subject from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She is very involved in ASEE. At the publication of this paper, she is the Awards Chair (past Division Chair) for the Materials Division and Chair Elect for the Corporate Members Council.

Janelle Simmonds
Global Enablement Lead, Future Workforce Strategy, Siemens Digital Industries Software
Janelle Simmonds is passionate about advancing education where academia and industry meet. She brings expertise in university-industry partnerships, organizational strategy, and online learning to her work across higher education and the corporate world. As Global Enablement Lead for the Future Workforce team at Siemens Digital Industries Software, Janelle leads content and credential strategy—equipping learners, educators and employers with the resources to transform the workforce and empower the next generation of skilled professionals.
Prior to Siemens, Janelle led partnership development at the University of Michigan’s Center for Academic Innovation and served as Chief of Staff to the Provost at UM-Dearborn. She spent 12 years in the UK and Europe in international pathways education, leading programs and teaching marketing, PR, and business development. At Kaplan International Pathways, she served as curriculum consultant, then program lead, college director, and associate director of Kaplan’s Center for Learning Innovation & Quality. She holds a BA in Communications and International Studies, and an MA in Communication from Wayne State University. She earned an executive coaching certification from the University of Michigan, and now provides coaching and consulting to empower leaders and teams. Janelle also sits on a number of higher education and workforce boards.

Angela Kita
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Angela Kita (she/her) is committed to improving learning experiences for all students through classroom innovation, program development, and fostering community. Her passion for all things teaching and learning began through teaching experiences as a graduate student, particularly working with non-biology majors exploring the various systems and structures found in animal phylogeny. She has worked collaboratively with faculty and staff on curriculum development, improved instructor support, and cross-campus projects. As a member of the Center for Innovation in Engineering Education, she is excited to build and grow partnerships that better connect students to their learning, their passions, and their goals.

Haley Briel
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Haley Briel (she/her) is a Teaching and Learning Tech Specialist with CEETE in the College of Engineering. She discovered the joy of active learning upon graduation from Vanderbilt University in 2008 when she was hired as an outreach coordinator with Wofford College’s Goodall Environmental Studies Center. There, she hosted community events and outdoor lessons for all ages about the flora, fauna, and history of upstate South Carolina. Haley found her home at UW-Madison in graduate school, where she received dual master’s degrees in Urban and Regional Planning and Water Resources Management in 2015. After a brief tenure in floodplain management, Haley returned to UW to pursue her passion for developing learning experiences that are inclusive, effective, and fun!