special supplement
Workforce Development
Sac State helps shape the region ’ s future economy
by Bill Sessa
SHUTTERSTOCK ILLUSTRATION
At Sacramento State , the springtime graduation is a familiar ritual . Academic degrees are conferred . Mortarboards are tossed airborne . A new group of leaders goes out into the world to apply their hardearned education .
But in recent years , Sac State has embraced a new role . In addition to preparing students for jobs in the modern world , it is working to create those jobs and shape the Capital Region ’ s economic future . It ’ s a role that combines the academics of the classroom with economic development decisions usually associated with the executive board room .
It ’ s a significant departure from what many consider the traditional role of academia , though the transformation is in step with regional efforts to create a future-forward economy . “ In the past , academic institutions often saw themselves as separate from the community , but now we see ourselves as part of the community ,” says Yvonne Harris , associate vice president of the offices of Research , Innovation and Economic Development .
2021 | comstocksmag . com 25