# Workforce Success and Innovation-Driven Growth with President Keith of Goldey-Beacom College

By Darin Francis · Published 2025-09-03 · Updated 2026-05-19 · Education Technology on MarketScale
Canonical: https://www.marketscale.com/industries/education-technology/workforce-success-innovation-growth-goldey-beacom-college

> As higher education institutions face declining enrollments and increasing pressure from employers for skills-based learning, small colleges are rethinking their missions. A whopping 70% of U.S. employers say they struggle to find workers with the right skills, and credential-based programs are gaining traction as a solution. At the intersection of tradition and transformation, Goldey-Beacom College…

## Key points

- 70% of U.S. employers report struggling to find workers with the right skills, creating demand for credential-based education programs.
- Small colleges like Goldey-Beacom are rethinking their missions to balance tradition with innovation-driven transformation.
- Skills-based learning and employer-aligned credentials are emerging as key strategies for higher education relevance and enrollment recovery.

Block Field

As higher education institutions face declining enrollments and increasing pressure from employers for skills-based learning, small colleges are rethinking their missions. A whopping [70% of U.S. employers](https://www.forbes.com/sites/tracybrower/2024/02/12/yes-the-talent-shortage-is-real-what-you-must-know-to-attract-and-retain/) say they struggle to find workers with the right skills, and credential-based programs are gaining traction as a solution. At the intersection of tradition and transformation, Goldey-Beacom College has positioned itself as a model for workforce alignment and innovation.

But how can a small, mission-driven college balance historic strengths with the urgent demand for adaptable, industry-connected programs? And what lessons can other institutions take from Goldey-Beacom’s approach to sustaining growth while preparing students for the future of work?

Welcome to [*DisruptED](https://marketscale.com/shows/disrupted/).* In the latest episode, guest host [Darin Francis](https://www.linkedin.com/in/darin-francis/) sits down with [Dr. Colleen Perry Keith](https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleen-perry-keith-9a1ba2/), President of [Goldey-Beacom College](https://www.gbc.edu/). Their discussion dives into how small colleges can innovate by drawing on their history, building employer partnerships, and leveraging stackable credentials to meet today’s workforce needs.

**The main topics of conversation…**

**Returning to Roots for Innovation**: How Goldey-Beacom drew on its business school origins to reintroduce certificate programs and align with employer needs.

**Stackable Credentials & Enrollment Growth**: Why short-term, industry-relevant programs are attracting new learners and creating pathways to advanced degrees.

**Agility Through Scale**: How being a smaller institution allows Goldey-Beacom to adapt quickly, foster employer partnerships, and maintain a personal student experience.

Colleen Perry Keith is a seasoned higher education leader with over 15 years of presidential experience, currently serving as President of Goldey-Beacom College and previously leading Pfeiffer University and Spartanburg Methodist College. She has deep expertise in institutional growth, workforce-aligned program development, and enrollment strategy, alongside a strong background in advancement and development from roles at Ohio University, the Methodist Theological School in Ohio, and national nonprofits. Her career reflects a blend of academic leadership, fundraising, and strategic partnerships that have positioned her as a respected voice on small college sustainability and innovation.

*Article written by MarketScale.*

Tags: academic program development, career pathways, Dr. Colleen Perry Keith, fundraising in higher education, Goldey-Beacom College, workforce development

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