Talent & Workforce Development

President Young: Manchester University’s Early College Experience provides high school students with access to college-level courses—either online or on campus—at a highly reduced cost, often under $100 per credit hour. These courses are fully transferable and designed to reduce both the time and financial burden of earning a college degree. By giving students a head start, MU is helping them explore academic interests early and build confidence in their ability to succeed in higher education.

President Young: This initiative directly supports Indiana’s postsecondary attainment goals by expanding equitable access to college for more students—especially those from underserved communities. By offering affordable dual-credit opportunities, MU is helping to close opportunity gaps and reduce college debt, ultimately strengthening the pipeline of credentialed graduates entering the workforce.

President Young: Pending accreditation, Manchester is launching a new 90-credit applied bachelor’s degree program designed to be completed in just six semesters—an innovative, student-centered approach that reduces time to degree by a full academic year. The curriculum focuses on major-specific coursework and MU’s CORE curriculum, removing electives that often add time and cost, but doing so without compromising academic quality. This model creates a more direct, focused path to graduation.

President Young: Students in this program can save over $20,000 in tuition, fees, and living expenses by graduating a year early. This also allows for faster entry into the workforce or graduate school. Additionally, the program preserves summer flexibility for students to work, intern, or support their families—an important benefit for students managing multiple responsibilities outside the classroom.

President Young: Absolutely. Manchester maintains a strong commitment to experiential learning, and over 90% of students participate in internships, clinical placements, or study-away programs. These experiences are embedded into the student journey—regardless of whether they follow a traditional or accelerated path—and are critical for real-world preparation and career readiness.

President Young: MU’s CORE curriculum is designed to equip students with high-demand, transferable skills, including communication, critical thinking, adaptability, and data literacy. These are the very qualities that employers consistently cite as essential for long-term career success. MU also supports personal and professional growth through leadership opportunities, hands-on learning, and meaningful faculty mentorship.

President Young: According to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, in 2025, 60% of jobs in the state require a credential beyond high school. Manchester’s dual credit and applied degree pathways are designed to meet this demand by producing graduates who are better prepared, sooner, and with less debt. This model supports the state’s long-term goals around economic mobility and talent development.

President Young: All students, but these programs are especially impactful for low- and middle-income students who face financial and logistical barriers to traditional four-year degrees. By reducing both cost and time to completion, MU is creating pathways that are more attainable and responsive to students’ real-life circumstances—helping them gain the skills and credentials they need to succeed.

President Young: Manchester University is eager to work with K–12 school districts, policy leaders, employers and workforce development agencies to expand access to our programs and scale our impact statewide. Whether through dual-credit partnerships, support for the applied degree rollout, or workforce-aligned education initiatives, MU welcomes collaborative efforts that drive student success and advance Indiana’s educational and economic future.