Acuity Insights

How can colleges and universities better prepare graduates to thrive in an evolving, AI-driven workforce? Join us on October 28 as we unpack what professional, real-world readiness looks like across medical and business education, including the skills students need beyond technical knowledge. You’ll learn: 1️⃣ How AI may affect the development of critical reasoning and why human skills are integral for professional practice 2️⃣ How longitudinal assessment can help programs identify skills gaps and sustain momentum and development beyond year one 3️⃣ How Acuity Insights’ Professional Skills Development solution helps students build durable skills while providing programs deeper insight into learner and cohort development Don’t miss this timely discussion on October 28 with our expert panel: • Dr. Rebecca Keller, Professor, Medical Education at Albany Medical College • Joseph I. Wells, Director, Morgan State University - Graves School of Business & Management - Masters Programs • Jessica Ireland, Senior Partner Solutions & Operations Manager at Acuity Insights You’ll leave with actionable insights and proven assessment strategies you can apply at your institution. Save your spot: https://lnkd.in/gwpZJtwF

This week, we honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and explore ways to reflect, learn, and foster respect for the Indigenous children, families, and communities impacted by the residential school system. As Acuitians operating on the traditional territories of Indigenous Peoples on Turtle Island and around the world, we have a collective duty to confront this history, learn from it, and actively engage in the work of healing and reconciliation. In the spirit of learning together, our team has curated a reading list to help guide us on this journey. We invite you to share your recommendations for additional resources in the comments. -- Ally is a Verb: A Guide to Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples by Rose LeMay “A necessary read for all non-indigenous people; not always easy to digest, but it helps frame how settlers can act as true allies.” - Nicole, Customer Marketing Manager – Five Little Indians by Michelle Good “Reading this book really helped me to deepen my understanding of the intergenerational impacts of the residential school system.” - Meegan, VP Administration – Children Like Us: A Métis Woman's Memoir of Family, Identity and Walking Herself Home by Brittany Penner “I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to understand the Sixties Scoop, and what it feels like to be torn between two cultures.” - Brianna, Sr. Content & Communications Manager – Keeper'n Me by Richard Wagamese “This book stuck with me for many years, and I highly recommend it.” - Stephanie, Senior Account Executive – The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline “Both heartbreaking and hopeful… I kept thinking about this book long after I finished it.” - Katie, Strategic Partnerships Advisor – Making Love with the Land by Joshua Whitehead “The writing is raw and revealing, ruminating on loss and pain. Each essay was emotionally compelling and stayed with me for a long time!” - Srishti, Senior Production Specialist – Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer "Reading it made me think of my grandfather, who knew every tree in our orchard by name. He spoke to them, understood what they needed to thrive, and treated the land not as something to take from, but as something to honour and give back to—with gratitude." - Susha, Research Scientist == For immediate crisis support, please contact The National Residential School Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419.

Sometimes the best way to learn is to connect with peers facing many of the same questions you are. This week: 120+ higher education leaders gathered virtually for our first Acuity Insights Community Forum to discuss top trends and emerging challenges, and exchange lessons learned and best practices to navigate the future of learning. Thank you to our dedicated partner community for sharing your valuable insights on timely topics including: integrating AI, managing growing applicant pools, simplifying accreditation workflows, redesigning curriculum and grading frameworks, and scaling professional competency development for workforce readiness. We applaud the real-world perspectives, proven strategies, and practical guidance from our panelists and thought leaders at Community Forum 2026: • Dr. Kaitlin Bynkoski, Director of Admissions & Undergraduate Affairs, University of Waterloo • Dr. Satesh Bidaisee Professor of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, St. George's University • Dr. Melissa Laudano, Assistant Dean for Clinical Science Education, Albert Einstein College of Medicine • Dr. Raquel Sapeg, Ed.D, Director of Curriculum Management, Albert Einstein College of Medicine • Dr. William Fuller, Associate Dean for Curricular Affairs, Albert Einstein College of Medicine • Dr. Pierre W. Banks Ed.D., Associate Dean of Admissions & Student Affairs, University of Northern Colorado • Dr. Robin Anderson, Department Head, Professor of Graduate Psychology, James Madison University • Dr. Rebecca Keller, Professor, Medical Education, Albany Medical College • Dr. J. Blake Hylton, Associate Professor and Chair, Ohio Northern University • Christine Alexander, Faculty Lecturer, University of Maryland • Hubert Chan, Executive Associate Dean, Western University of Health Sciences • Dr. Kristina Petersen, Assistant Dean & Associate Professor, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis • Dr. Cynthia Perry, Associate Academic Dean for Admissions, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center • Dr. Michael Roscoe, MPAS, Ph.D., PA-C, Program Director, Chair, and Professor of Physician Assistant Medicine, University of Tampa • Elan S., Assistant Director of Outcomes Assessment, Western University of Health Sciences Curious to learn more? Watch our Community Forum panel discussion on-demand to explore the myriad of ways AI is reshaping how institutions work and how students learn: https://lnkd.in/gZiM5dty

As AI and automation continue to transform entire industries, labor-market experts, economists, and professors suggest that human-centered skills will be at a premium among employers. How can colleges and universities keep pace with an evolving AI-driven landscape, equip graduates with essential professional skills, and prove they’re ready for the future of work? On October 8, Dr. Kelly Dore, Co-Founder & VP Science & Innovation at Acuity Insights and Adjunct Professor at McMaster University, will unpack this timely issue at The Chronicle of Higher Education Virtual Forum with higher education leaders and Shea Vance, Reporting Fellow at CHE. We at Acuity Insights are proud to support this upcoming webinar. These critical discussions are paving a path forward for #HigherEd institutions and the millions of applicants who aspire to higher education as a stepping stone to their future success. Join the conversation: https://lnkd.in/dwDDZKG3

Health professions tackle high stakes every day. “There are great pressures in healthcare in selecting those who are resilient, reliable, ethical, and demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills [and to] train outstanding clinicians to care for patients in our communities.” Dr. Michelle Schmude, EdD, MBA, Vice Provost for Enrollment Management and Professor of Medical Education at Geisinger College of Health Sciences unpacks this new evidence published in Medical Education, one of the world’s leading peer-reviewed journals, and what it means for health professions admissions—and why it matters for clinical settings and standards of care. Get a clear overview of this landmark meta-analysis and evidence-based admissions strategies you can apply at your institution. Don’t miss this timely panel discussion and Q&A with experts from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, University of Georgia School of Medicine, Geisinger College of Health Sciences, McMaster University, and Acuity Insights. Watch the webinar on-demand: https://lnkd.in/gKwMHQ8P

Not every vendor will have clear answers. Next in our 4-part series on Accessibility: we explore five compliance questions your current provider should be able to answer, now that ADA Title II requirements are in effect. These questions may help guide a vendor review: 1. Does your provider have a current VPAT or Accessibility Conformance Report covering learning- and faculty-facing workflows? 2. Are evaluations, procedure logs, and required forms included in that scope? 3. Can your current provider speak to WCAG 2.1 AA conformance for screen reader and keyboard-only navigation? 4. Does your current provider have guidance on accessibility issues introduced through school-authored form content? 5. Did your current provider share readiness guidance ahead of the April deadline? Acuity Insights has a VPAT available for One45. Check out our essential guide to address accessibility gaps in medical education: https://lnkd.in/gra5Snmi Stay tuned for PART 4 - where accessibility gaps tend to show up and how to tackle them before it becomes a bigger problem.

As AI continues to advance technical answers and reshape industries, how can business schools cultivate the durable skills needed to prepare the next generation to think critically, act ethically, and lead responsibly? This week: Join us at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT at the Northeast Business Deans' Association Annual Meeting, as we explore how business programs can make professional skills development more experiential, career-embedded, and actionable. On September 18, Andrea Blais, M.Ed. of Acuity Insights will unpack how scenario-based assessments measure key AACSB outcomes and provide undergraduate and graduate business students with personalized feedback and learning resources to support their development beyond academic achievement. Drawing on pilot experiences with business programs over the past year, we’ll highlight practical insights related to implementation, student engagement, assessment timing, retesting cadence, early patterns of student growth, and useful evidence for curricular improvement. 💬 From Assessment to Experience: Lessons Learned from Embedding Professional Skills Development into Business Programs | Presenter: Andrea Blais, Acuity Insights 🗓️ Friday, September 18 | 10:15 a.m. | Location: School of Business, Quinnipiac University Learn how your #BusinessEducation program can find and develop future business leaders with the durable skills to tackle complex problems: https://lnkd.in/gT9nKXzp  See you in Hamden!

Are you measuring the skills that matter? As AI accelerates, these human-centered competencies are critical to career readiness—and competitive advantage. ✅ leading with empathy ✅ managing roadblocks ✅ ethical reasoning ✅ tackling high-pressure situations In fact, AACSB requires business schools to define and assess program-level competencies, demonstrate career readiness, and embed ethics and global perspectives across the curriculum. Yet only 13% of survey respondents believe their faculty are “very prepared” to teach soft skills—also known as professional skills—alongside technical skills.* In a recent Acuity Insights report, we unpack actionable strategies for #BusinessSchools to address the skills gap and drive professional success. Read on: https://lnkd.in/gidjCEjg *Source: Shaping Future-Ready Leaders: Bridging Durable Skill Gaps in Business Education, Acuity Insights, 2025

What happens when you put professional skills to the test? How do you measure skills like ethical reasoning, communication, and professional judgment as engineering cohorts grow? The School of Engineering at Campbell University explored these timely questions in a pilot using Acuity Insights’ Professional Skills Development (PSD) assessment. The pilot revealed: ✅ Evidence of student overconfidence in professional skills ✅ Validation of faculty observations ✅ Insights traditional assignments may miss ✅ Potential to support accreditation and program outcomes Read the case study to see how Campbell integrated PSD into its curriculum—without adding significant burden for faculty or students: https://lnkd.in/g_SEX9Qa

How can new evidence on situational judgment tests help health professions admissions evolve in alignment with AAMC standards? Watch the webinar on-demand as our expert panel unpacks new evidence published in Medical Education, one of the world’s leading peer-reviewed journals for health professions. Explore what this new evidence means for #HealthProfessionsEducation, from evolving practices to identifying applicants with the skills needed to succeed in training and practice. Watch the webinar on-demand, featuring expert insights from: • Ivy Erickson, P.A.-C, Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse • Dr. Brian Steele, Ed.D., Associate Dean for Admissions and Assistant Professor of Medical Education at University of Georgia School of Medicine • Dr. Michelle Schmude, EdD, MBA, Vice Provost for Enrollment Management and Professor of Medical Education at Geisinger College of Health Sciences • Dr. Kelly Dore, Co-Founder and Vice President, Science and Innovation at Acuity Insights, and Adjunct Professor at McMaster University. Get a clear overview of this landmark meta-analysis and evidence-based admissions strategies you can apply at your institution. Watch on-demand: https://lnkd.in/gKwMHQ8P