Non-Degree Paths: Hype or Hope? | ASU+GSV Summit 2026

Clayton Lord (SHRM Foundation), Erica Bouris (Jobs for the Future), and Janelle Duray (Jobs for America's Graduates) join moderator Ebony Thomas (Year Up United | Grads of Life) at the ASU+GSV Summit 2026 in Non-Degree Paths: Hype or Hope? to explore how short-term credentials and nondegree pathways can lead to meaningful careers.

As education and career decisions become more complex and costly, many young people are questioning whether a traditional degree is the right path. Yet, many lack the information and confidence to choose another way. Nearly half of young adults do not pursue a four-year degree, and many who do enroll never complete, often resulting in debt and missed opportunity.

This panel highlights real-world proof points that short-term credentials (STCs) and nondegree pathways (NDPs) lead to meaningful, well-paying careers. This session will highlight the perspectives of a young person who pursued a nondegree pathway and employers who have hired from nondegree pathways. Together, these speakers will demonstrate how skills-first pathways work in practice.

Drawing on insights from Britebound’s landmark Launchpad Jobs Report and the American Opportunity Index (AOI), the conversation will show how these pathways expand opportunity, reduce risk, and help young people navigate “what’s next” with confidence.

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