Flagship institutions are the marquee schools, the research centers, the academic powerhouses, the foundation of a statewide alumni base, and often the state’s athletics brand, too.

But the workhorses of public higher education in most states are the regional public universities, the less renowned four-year institutions with teaching missions that exist in the shadows of the flagships’ spotlight. And shifting demographics, reduced levels of state support, and hobbled state oversight have led many regional universities to suffer.

Indiana high school principal Stacey Brewer faces a challenge that schools nationwide share as they struggle to connect their students to jobs: teaching the “soft skills” of the workplace.

Brewer's school of 800 students will join a growing number of schools and community organizations in the Indianapolis area using a new set of "career skills badges” that standardize what young people need to know.

As people live longer, healthier lives, the traditional 40-year career will become a thing of the past.  But that’s going to require a new mind-set—and a lot more planning.

Charlotte Japp is setting the groundwork for it. Since graduating from college 10 years ago, Japp has worked in marketing at three companies in different industries and simultaneously launched Cirkel, a startup that connects younger and older employees for two-way career support.