The Quest for Balance: Technology, Innovation and the Public Good in Higher Education

Talk and discussion with Dr. Jonelle Bradshaw de Hernandez, Ph.D.
Executive Director of Foundation Relations and researcher at The University of Texas at Austin.

Technical skills are paramount to succeed in the modern labor market – but the question remains, what are the attributes and skills needed to make an impact on the social good? Who determines this and who decides and how does this impact vulnerable students in the U.S.? My first aim is to examine how well our existing higher education system encourages high-quality matches of students to professions in order to maximize national production. This is particularly important in STEM where a focus on investments in innovation and workforce development is paramount. The policies that articulate this importance are based both upon private interests and serving the public good.

Dr. Bradshaw de Hernandez works closely with advancement and academic leadership to prioritize and execute fundraising programs and initiatives that attract significant foundation support. Dr. Bradshaw de Hernandez’ research interests include the intersection of science and technological innovations, risk perceptions and job security in building a transformational U.S. workforce focused on social good.

Previously, she served as Senior Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at Stony Brook University in New York. She graduated from Cornell University, College of Human Ecology, with a Bachelor of Science in Human Service Studies concentrating in Social Policy and Community Development. She received her Master of Arts in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University, Teachers College, an Advanced Certificate in Instructional Leadership at St. John’s University, and her Doctorate from Stony Brook University, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences in Technology, Policy and Innovation.