In many ways, life in America seems to be returning to something close to normal. Offices are making plans for bringing back employees who have been working remotely. Schools and universities are revamping classrooms in anticipation of going back fully to in-person learning in the fall.

But this is still a nation, and an economy, in recovery. Ten labor and workforce leaders from government, nonprofits, and academia compare notes, identify emerging challenges, and share the best ideas for creating new jobs and getting more workers back to earning a paycheck.

Three years ago, Iowa Wesleyan University was on the brink of closing its doors for good. It's a familiar story. About six dozen nonprofit colleges have either closed or merged with other institutions since 2016. 

But Iowa Wesleyan has a plan. The liberal arts school went on a fundraising spree and restructured a $20 million federal loan. School leaders are also hopeful that several recent changes—including focusing more on retention, strengthening student services, and partnering with a nearby community college—will change the institution's future prospects.