The Charles Koch Foundation is proud to announce it has renewed support for an innovative program at the W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University (WSU) that has broadened WSU’s ability to provide relevant, shorter-term educational pathways to meaningful employment for city residents. The program, Spero, is now in its second year and will expand the program’s scope and course programming for its two tracks: Career Readiness and Entrepreneurship. Career Readiness will add a Career Advancement Program that will provide graduates with ongoing support for continued job placement and career advancement with employer partners like Bank of America, Cargill, Cox Communications, and more. The Entrepreneurship track, which provides practical training for residents starting or expanding their businesses, will now include a Venture Advancement Program that will offer access to market research and consulting services, privileged resources, and hands-on expertise from field experts. “Spero is an example of how postsecondary education institutions can adapt to our modern economy and drive the future of work and learning,” said CKF Executive Director Ryan Stowers. Applications for Spero are open now. Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/3sxmdx22 #futureofwork #futureoflearning #educationpathways #WichitaStateUniversity #postsecondaryeducation #careerreadiness #entrepreneurship #principlesofhumanprogress #bottomupchange #bottomup (fb)

Our ability to ask questions, exchange knowledge, and advance new theories gives humans the extraordinary opportunity to create the conditions necessary for all people to find purpose and unlock their potential. History has shown that certain principles are especially important ingredients in facilitating this progress. A mini editorial series we published explores the principles that contribute to human flourishing and that still hold potential to drive progress forward. At CKF, we believe there are many such principles. We believe society advances when we respect each person's equal rights and dignity and engage in mutually beneficial exchange. We believe openness to new ideas, people, and resources is key to growth, and the best solutions come from those closest to the problem. We believe we all benefit when every person can find meaning and self-actualize. These principles might seem abstract to some, but we do not have to look far to see that they are alive and very much desired. Check out the full series at the link below. (fb)