The workforce market is evolving, and this year we'll see more employers begin to move away from the emphasis on four-year degree requirements to greater recognition of valuable skills. However, there are sizeable skill and opportunity gaps for workers illustrated in the results of the University of Phoenix's recent Career Optimism Index® study.

The Index showed that while more than half of Americans are seeking their next career move, 70% would prefer to stay in their company if they were given more opportunities to learn and apply new skills.  

Studies by workforce research leaders McKinsey and Deloitte make the case for focusing on skills as well. 

In this episode, Doris Savron, vice provost of Colleges, Assessment and Curriculum at University of Phoenix, discusses the transition to skills-based hiring in the workforce. She also talks about how workers can leverage their skills, employers can develop talent, and education leaders can empower learners and job seekers in this new era of skills-based hiring.  

Doris Savron, Vice Provost, Colleges, Assessment and Curriculum, University of Phoenix

Doris Savron has over 23 years of experience in higher education in a variety of settings. Doris serves as Vice Provost overseeing the strategy for University of Phoenix academic programs and curriculum design, institutional assessment and faculty. This includes oversight of strategy for degree, certificate and course offerings, design of curriculum and student learning outcomes for the University.

She works collaboratively with her team members to innovate academic solutions that enable the University to provide exceptional student experiences and learning environments to support student success. In her tenure with University of Phoenix she has served as associate faculty, campus vice president, regional Vice president of student services, and college operations.   

Doris is a first-generation college graduate with her parents never finishing high school and saw first-hand the struggles a lack of education creates for some families, and the benefits and opportunities a degree brings to future generations. She understands the unique challenges that older adult students encounter trying to navigate their life responsibilities while also earning their degrees.  

Doris is passionate about giving back to the community and serves on several boards including Career Connectors and Propenum College in Lusaka, Zambia, and recently completing a six-year term on Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. 

Doris is often sought out as a speaker for her expertise on mapping relevant skills in programs and building an infrastructure to support career tools in curriculum design, micro credentialing and other innovations in curriculum (1Ed Tech, PACRAO). Doris’s significant contributions in her profession, mentoring, and community leadership led to being selected as Greater Phoenix Chamber’s Private Sector Athena Finalist in 2020. Her advocacy for women in leadership has led her to project work in India, Zambia and the U.S. supporting women to achieve their potential in their profession. She has designed, led, and presented in several international empowerment conferences.    

Doris earned her MBA from Cleveland State University and is completing her doctorate in management in organizational leadership. 

Find out more here: https://www.phoenix.edu/career-institute.html

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