As employers increasingly embrace skills-based hiring, higher education faces growing pressure to prepare students not just academically, but for the realities of the modern workplace. While most students feel confident in what they’ve learned, many struggle to communicate the soft skills employers value most—and that gap can make all the difference.
In this webinar, our expert panel unpacks what students, employers, and higher ed leaders are saying about career readiness—and how institutions can adapt to meet evolving expectations. Drawing from the NSLS’s State of Higher Ed 2025 report, the discussion explores actionable strategies for helping graduates succeed beyond the classroom.
This webinar covers:
The soft skills employers want most and why students often miss them
Why internships and experiential learning drive career success
What today’s students expect from their college experience
Practical strategies for bridging the gap between academic learning and workplace readiness
Whether you work in student affairs, academic advising, or career services, you’ll gain valuable insights you can bring back to campus right away.
GUEST SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Braddock, Ph.D
Director of Product Delivery and Facilitation, The National Society of Leadership and Success
Jennifer Braddock is a learning professional at the NSLS with 12 years of experience in the higher education classroom. She teaches soft skills, communication, technology, and many other topics, but most enjoys bringing positive energy to events dedicated to the growth of participants. She earned a PhD from the University of Florida and now resides in California with her family.
Dr. Kevin Lovelace
Faculty in Management and Organizational Behavior, California State University, Sacramento
Dr. Kevin Lovelace is a lecturer in the College of Business (Management & Organizations). Dr. Lovelace completed his Doctorate at the University of San Francisco in 2015, holds an MBA in management, and an MA in education leadership with a concentration in online education. Dr. Lovelace teaches business communication and organizational behavior courses at the undergrad, grad, and honors level.
Hannah Stoneburner
Director of Program Development at the NSLS
Hannah Stoneburner currently serves as the director of program development for The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS), where her team focuses on new chapter development. Hannah has been with the NSLS for nearly six years, building on a decade-long career in traditional higher education.
Prior to joining the NSLS team, she spent 10 years working on college campuses, including several years in residential life and later serving as the director of learning communities. Hannah's work centered on student retention initiatives and implementing high-impact practices. She holds a master's degree in student affairs administration from Ball State University. During her time in higher education, she also served as a founding advisor for an NSLS chapter, witnessing firsthand the transformational impact of leadership development programming on student success.