The rapid rise of artificial intelligence and changing workforce demands are reshaping higher education, and a Moraine Valley Community College administrator will have a hand in helping community colleges navigate that future.
Dr. Ryen Nagle, Moraine Valley’s vice president of Academic Affairs, has been appointed to the American Association of Community Colleges’ Commission on the Future of Work, a national advisory group that helps shape how community colleges prepare students for tomorrow’s careers. His three-year term began July 1 and runs through June 30, 2029.
“This appointment is an exciting opportunity to gain knowledge and develop strategies in a changing educational and workforce landscape,” Nagle said. “It is an immense privilege to work alongside other community college leaders to find innovative solutions that benefit both our students and employers.”
The commission advises the AACC on helping community colleges respond to technology-driven changes in the economy. Its work includes developing strategies for artificial intelligence literacy, skills-based hiring, microcredentials and partnerships with employers to ensure colleges are preparing students for the jobs of the future.
The appointment marks another milestone in Nagle’s 15-year career at Moraine Valley.
He joined the college in 2010 as manager of the Dual Credit and Honors programs before serving as assistant dean of Career Programs and later dean of Science, Business and Computer Technology. In 2023, he was named vice president of Academic Affairs.
Along the way, Nagle helped build partnerships that expanded opportunities for students. During his time as dean, his division earned the 2014 National Career Pathways Award for the nation’s top dual credit program. He also worked with the Moraine Area Career System and regional high schools while helping establish the Engineering Pathways Program, a partnership with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign that creates a pathway for future engineers.
His leadership earned him Moraine Valley’s Vernon O. Crawley Leadership Award in 2017.
Nagle said he is especially looking forward to the commission’s emphasis on artificial intelligence and workforce development.
“Not only is it an honor to be appointed to this commission, but I especially am eager considering the subject matter,” he said. “I look forward to the ways the commission will impact community college education across the nation.”
Moraine Valley President Dr. Pamela J. Haney said Nagle’s experience and leadership make him well suited for the national role.
“Dr. Nagle has provided strategic and innovative vision to Moraine Valley for more than a decade and is an excellent choice for this role,” Haney said. “Over the next three years, his efforts with the Commission on the Future of Work will yield invaluable insights to benefit our students, our college and community colleges across the country.”
The American Association of Community Colleges represents more than 1,000 two-year, associate degree-granting institutions serving nearly 10.5 million students across the United States.
As colleges continue adapting to new technologies and evolving employer expectations, Nagle’s appointment gives Moraine Valley a voice in the national conversation about what the future of higher education and the future workforce will look like.